Kejan Haynes
Lead Editor - Newsgathering
kejan.haynes@guardian.co.tt
The Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) report on the 2025 general election described T&T’s media as vibrant and largely independent but raised concerns over the imbalance in access to state media and the visibility of the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) during the election cycle.
The COG said while the media played an important role in informing the public and facilitating electoral engagement, regulatory and institutional reforms are needed to promote balance, transparency, and accountability in political communications.
The report noted that media outlets in T&T operate freely across traditional and digital platforms and are generally trusted by the public. Journalists were found to have access to political figures, and the COG said, “The media in Trinidad and Tobago is vibrant and free across traditional and digital platforms. The press is widely respected by the public, and journalists can access the government and other political officials.”
However, the group expressed concern about reports of disproportionate coverage of the governing party by state-run media during the campaign period. It recommended legislative reform to ensure balanced access to publicly funded media, stating:
“There should be legislation to promote equitable access to the state media for all political parties and independent candidates in terms of their campaigns, interviews and advertisements.”
In addition to concerns about equitable access, the COG highlighted the absence of a binding code of conduct for election coverage. It encouraged collaboration between media outlets and the Telecommunications Authority to develop professional guidelines. The report said,
“The COG recommends wider consultation between the Telecommunication Authority with the media to introduce a code to guide professional, fair and equitable coverage of elections.”
It also noted that media professionals should consider reviving the Media Association of T&T and develop a voluntary media code specific to election reporting.
On the role of the Elections and Boundaries Commission, the COG said the EBC could do more to engage with the media and the wider public during the electoral cycle. It suggested that improved media relations would help the Commission increase its visibility and strengthen public confidence.
“The EBC could improve its reach to the public by doing more media engagements with the press. These can include training for media professionals, as well as regular press briefings on its work throughout the election cycle.”
The COG also recommended that the EBC take a more proactive and structured approach to engaging all electoral stakeholders, including the media, political parties, civil society organisations, and other relevant institutions.
Overall, the report called for stronger institutional arrangements to ensure fairness in election-related coverage and to enhance public awareness about the electoral process. It recommended that media houses prioritise internal and external training for journalists to improve the quality of election coverage.
It also called on Parliament to consider legislation on campaign financing, which includes disclosure of funds used for political advertising and campaign sponsorship.