This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/greenslade/2013/jul/12/press-freedom-trinidad-and-tobago

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Journalists quit Trinidad newspaper in press freedom crisis Journalists quit Trinidad newspaper in press freedom crisis
(2 months later)
A major crisis has broken out at the Trinidad Guardian, the leading newspaper in Trinidad and Tobago. Three of the paper's senior journalists have resigned in protest at alleged editorial interference by its owners.A major crisis has broken out at the Trinidad Guardian, the leading newspaper in Trinidad and Tobago. Three of the paper's senior journalists have resigned in protest at alleged editorial interference by its owners.
Their walk-out followed their belief that the Guardian's editor-in-chief, Judy Raymond, had been effectively stripped of her newsroom powers. She has remained with the paper, however.Their walk-out followed their belief that the Guardian's editor-in-chief, Judy Raymond, had been effectively stripped of her newsroom powers. She has remained with the paper, however.
The trio who resigned on Tuesday - public affairs editor Sheila Rampersad and investigative reporters Anika Gumbs-Sandiford and Denyse Renne - claim the owners have buckled under government pressure because of the paper's reporting of sensitive stories.The trio who resigned on Tuesday - public affairs editor Sheila Rampersad and investigative reporters Anika Gumbs-Sandiford and Denyse Renne - claim the owners have buckled under government pressure because of the paper's reporting of sensitive stories.
Rampersad said: "We have taken a position about political interference in the work that we do and imposition of directives about how journalists are to function. We think that is totally unacceptable. It has become unsustainable."Rampersad said: "We have taken a position about political interference in the work that we do and imposition of directives about how journalists are to function. We think that is totally unacceptable. It has become unsustainable."
She claimed editors had received numerous telephone calls from management about the publication of articles critical of the government. She further said journalists had been harassed by politicians.She claimed editors had received numerous telephone calls from management about the publication of articles critical of the government. She further said journalists had been harassed by politicians.
Matters came to a head, said Rampersad, when it was announced that Raymond - who has been credited with giving the paper a new lease of life since her arrival a year ago - was being reassigned. Though she would keep her editor-in-chief title, she would not work in the newsroom or function as an editor.Matters came to a head, said Rampersad, when it was announced that Raymond - who has been credited with giving the paper a new lease of life since her arrival a year ago - was being reassigned. Though she would keep her editor-in-chief title, she would not work in the newsroom or function as an editor.
The Guardian's managing director, Gabriel Faria, denied that Raymond had been reassigned. In a televised statement, he said she was simply "going offline to work on the development of a more robust editorial policy."The Guardian's managing director, Gabriel Faria, denied that Raymond had been reassigned. In a televised statement, he said she was simply "going offline to work on the development of a more robust editorial policy."
The Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (Matt), the journalists' trade body that campaigns for press freedom, said it was monitoring "the developing crisis at the Guardian newspapers" following "an editorial reshuffle." .The Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (Matt), the journalists' trade body that campaigns for press freedom, said it was monitoring "the developing crisis at the Guardian newspapers" following "an editorial reshuffle." .
The Matt statement said: "We stand in support of our media colleagues some of whom have had no professional choice but to resign from their posts, in protest of the attempt to intimidate editorial and managerial staff." Raymond is Matt's vice-president.The Matt statement said: "We stand in support of our media colleagues some of whom have had no professional choice but to resign from their posts, in protest of the attempt to intimidate editorial and managerial staff." Raymond is Matt's vice-president.
The Guardian, based in Port of Spain, was founded in 1917 and is regarded as Trinidad's most serious paper, but it sells fewer copies than rival titles, the Trinidad Express and Trinidad Newsday. It is ultimately owned by the Ansa McAl group, a Caribbean conglomerate with interests in manufacturing, shipping, brewing, insurance and real estate as well as media. Its chairman and chief executive is A. Norman Sabga.The Guardian, based in Port of Spain, was founded in 1917 and is regarded as Trinidad's most serious paper, but it sells fewer copies than rival titles, the Trinidad Express and Trinidad Newsday. It is ultimately owned by the Ansa McAl group, a Caribbean conglomerate with interests in manufacturing, shipping, brewing, insurance and real estate as well as media. Its chairman and chief executive is A. Norman Sabga.
In April 1996, nine Guardian journalists, including its then editor-in-chief, resigned in protest at alleged management interference and political pressure.In April 1996, nine Guardian journalists, including its then editor-in-chief, resigned in protest at alleged management interference and political pressure.
Sources: Trinidad Express: (1) (2) (3)/Trinidad & Tobago Newsday: (1) (2)/Trinidad Guardian/Global Voices/WikipediaSources: Trinidad Express: (1) (2) (3)/Trinidad & Tobago Newsday: (1) (2)/Trinidad Guardian/Global Voices/Wikipedia
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.