Politics
Trinidad & Tobago: Prime Minister condemns police action
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday described the ability of journalists to protect their sources as “sacred” as she called upon Police Commissioner Dwayne Gibbs “to provide an immediate explanation to the media and the public” as to why Newsday’s offices – and the home of one of its senior reporters – were raided in an attempt to investigate sources.
“The sanctity of the relationship between the reporter and his/her source is one which must be respected,” the Prime Minister said in a press release issued at about 6 pm. “It is similar to the relationship which exists at confession between a priest and his confessor. It is privileged and sacred. Police intervention can only be justified in extreme situations.”
“The police raid on the offices of the Newsday and home of one of its senior reporters is viewed with grave concern by the government,” the release, headed, “Prime Minister on Newsday Raid”, said. The Prime Minister described the raid as “extreme.”