The Media Association of T&T says President Anthony Carmona was wrong to use his Republic Day message to "deflect legitimate questions raised in the media about the use of public funds by President's House."
During his address, Carmona launched an attack on journalists who raised the issue involving the use of public funds by President's House.
The association said yesterday "rather than demonstrating his commitment to transparency and accountability," Carmona "regretfully chose to smear the work of journalists seeking to hold public officials to account."
It said citizens of T&T have a constitutional right to freedom of expression, adding that social media commentators were not excluded from that right.
The association: "No public official is spared valid, persistent questions and commentary. The era of not questioning high office holders has ended.
"The association said it was responsible journalism that motivated reporters to try unsuccessfully and in different ways to get responses to public issues from Carmona.
"Instead of a measured response to accumulating queries, the President opted to attack a noble profession," the organisation added.
The association said Carmona's holding up of selected distinguished former journalists "to launch personal attacks" was "an affront."
Matt said those distinguished former journalists "will vehemently oppose the President's expansive effort to shoot the messenger, while ignoring legitimate public interest questions."