WHO DOH HAVE UMBRELLA? Development of Underdevelopment By David A.M. Fraser

WHO DOH HAVE UMBRELLA?

Development of Underdevelopment

By David A.M. Fraser

Government is not going to find solutions to gang related crime in seminars, reports, parliamentary tits for tats, public consultations, and most of all in hiring more consultants.

Everything has been tried and tested, with little or no effect. There is a tendency to blame the Police for poor performance. The sad but stark truth is that we are not coming to terms with the social reality that Trinidad is a failing state held together with some natural resource money earned from oil and gas taxes, nothing else. The Police only come in at the tail end of the problem, not at the start or the beginning, when children are young. This is where parenting plays a pivotal role in the development of competent citizens.

Our talk shows are littered with people arguing for crumbs and dying for it also. URP and CEPEP seem to be engaging the attention of the Media instead of the myriad of issues that really are at the heart of our social problems.

To quote from Lennox Raphael world renowned play writer, spin doctor and journalist he said in our group today that ‘each time he tunes in to Trinidad and Tobago the discussion seems to be a big shouting match’, and ‘it’s appears the art of discussion has fled our shores’. This is an excellent summary of our media and what has been taking place.

Murder and Gang related activity is fostered by the lack of proper intervention into the ghettos across Trinidad and Tobago, since it was easier for us to feed a few Gang leaders to keep the rest in check. Soon enough this model did not sustain.

Community leaders now recognize they have power, and once organized, could control the criminal underworld, increase crime at the drop of a command, and cool things down when it suits their fancy.

Trinidad’s Ghettos were swept under the carpet evolving into a pandemic which society now has to contend with. What applies in the normal lives of citizens have no place in the reality of those people who live in Hell Yard, Bagatelle, Powder Magazine, Charford Court, the Harp and the countless ghettos scattered throughout the East West Corridor and in Central Trinidad.

The social reality is that we neglected planning at the expediency of the get back rationale. 'Nationalism' after independence was a rubric for black empowerment, not true national mobilization based on fairness and that competence would be the principal driver of our development model. This is also true in countries like Jamaica, Guyana and all the failed states of Caricom.

The people of the already existing depressed communities were tricked into believing that their time had reached, so to speak. The sad reality is that only the actors were changed, but the rules remained the same.

Albert Einstein said that ‘few people are capable of expressing with equanimity’ - evenness of temper even under stress, ‘opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are even incapable of forming such opinions’.

Frank Lloyd Wright, the greatest planner of all time and one of the world’s most renowned architects said those famous words ‘the environment shapes us’ when discussing how planning, social and physical, are important elements to ensure social progress and development.

Neurologist and founder of the school of psycho analytics Dr. Sigmund Freud said that ‘a civilization which leaves so large a number of its participants unsatisfied and drives them into revolt, neither has, nor deserves the prospect of a lasting existence’.

Our society has been guilty of malaise and putting plasters on infectious sores instead of treating the problem. We neglected social and physical planning after independence focusing our attention on imaginary issues which never really dealt with building a strong platform for progress.

If we are to conquer the bogey of murder and underdevelopment then we must confront the issues bang on, stop playing politics and scoring cheap points while the society decays and falls completely apart.

Trinidad has become engaged in the 'development of underdevelopment', a phenomenon which was strongly propelled by the previous PNM administration when it built Maloney, La Horquetta, Powder Magazine, and the myriad of ghetto housing schemes designed to transfer loyalist votes to sustain political power.

It would be noteworthy to say that the HDC/NHA model has definitely achieved one objective, which is to transfer the problems from one place to another, serving to under-develop the entire country.

When I say that Trinidad is a failing society, it is against this background that we must realize what is really taking place on a daily basis - murder, squatting, hunger and social fragmentation.

How the society can change the destructive underdevelopment model that presently obtains, to a policy framework which is truly reflective of an independent country moving forward, will be the next social revolution to either develop or permanently destroy the society.

Social tensions are high, the society is unhappy, and when no sensible solutions are around, people take things into their own hands.

Government’s blinded by power are unable to see the problems affecting society. Phillip Alexander’s commentary was dead on target when he quoted Marie Antoinette ‘that if one does not have bread why don’t they eat cake’ is so true of our politicians who are not in touch with the real issues. However, Marie Antoinette lost her head in the throes of the French revolution.

As Phillip Alexander said in his blog, “the storm is coming” when, will be a matter for the social scientists. Who doh have umbrella will get wet!

Respectfully Submitted,

David A.M. Fraser

Blog: FRONTLINE By David Fraser http://davidamfraser.blogspot.com

Blog: DAF Social Media Poll http://dafsocialmediapoll.blogspot.com/

Facebook: David Fraser

EMAIL US AT: fafaltd@gmail.com

“WORKING TOGETHER TO BUILD SUCCESSFUL NATIONS”

Modelling the way in Social Media and Journalism by David A.M. Fraser

In an effort to provide a suitable foundation for the field of Social Media and its role in journalism within the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, I have researched various laws and regulations. I have examined various models and am of the belief that the Hungarian model, which I have submitted below for your convenience, ought to be considered. There are various benefits to this model being introduced into a Trinidad and Tobago context and tapered to suit our needs.

Respectfully Submitted,

David A.M. Fraser

EMAIL: fafaltd@gmail.com

ACT CIV OF 2010 ON THE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS AND THE FUNDAMENTAL RULES ON MEDIA CONTENT

Having realised that – for the promotion of community and individual interests and social integrity, for ensuring proper operation of the democratic order and for strengthening national and cultural identity, and in line with the norms of international law and the European Union and developments in technology – new regulations need to be formulated, the Parliament – giving due heed to ensuring the freedom of expression, speech and the press, and considering the importance of media services in cultural, social and economic terms and to ensuring competition in the media market – with regard to Article 61 of the Constitution of the Republic of Hungary – hereby formulates the Act on the freedom of the press, the fundamental rules on media content as well as the fundamental rights and obligations of media content providers and the general public, as follows:

TITLE I
DEFINITION OF TERMS Article 1

1. Media service: A service for remuneration as defined in Articles 56 and 57 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, for which a media service provider assumes editorial responsibility, the primary objective of which is to distribute programming content to the public for information, entertainment or training purposes via an electronic communications network.

2. Media service provider: a natural person or legal entity or a business association without legal personality under editorial responsibility for the selection of media service content and in charge of determining the manner in which it is organised. Editorial responsibility shall refer to responsibility for control over the selection and compilation of media content, however, it does not necessarily imply legal liability in relation to the media service.

3. Single programme unit: Sounds, and series of motion pictures, with or without sound, constituting a single unit in the programming schedule or the programme lineup provided by a media service provider, the form and content of which are comparable to a programme service broadcast via radio or television channels.
4. On-demand media service: a media service provided by a media service provider, whereby, on the basis of a selection of programmes compiled by the media service provider, the user may, at his request, watch or listen to programme units at an arbitrarily selected point of time .

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5. Provision of linear media services: media service by a media service provider that allows for the simultaneous watching of, or listening to programmes on the basis of a programming schedule.

6. Printed press materials: Individual issues of daily newspapers and other periodicals as well as on-line newspapers and news portals provided as a service for profit, for the content of which a natural or legal person or a business association without legal personality bears editorial responsibility, the primary objective of which is to distribute textual or image contents to the public for information, entertainment or training purposes in a printed form or via an electronic communications network. Editorial responsibility shall refer to responsibility for control over the selection and compilation of media content, however, it does not necessarily imply legal liability in relation to printed press materials.

7. Media content: The content provided in any media service or printed press material.

8. Media content provider: The media provider, or the provider of any media content.

9. Commercial announcement: Media content the purpose of which is to directly or indirectly promote the merchandise, service or image of a natural or legal person or a business association without legal personality engaged in business activities. Such contents accompany or are included in media content for consideration or other remuneration or for the purposes of self- advertisement. Commercial announcements may take the form of advertisements, displaying the name, brand, image or product of the sponsor, and teleshopping and product display.

10. Implicit commercial announcement: A commercial announcement that, given its nature, may be used to mislead the public.

11. Advertising Communications, information or means of display intended to promote the sale or any other use of any tangible and marketable movables – including money, securities and financial instruments and natural assets suitable for utilisation as tangible assets –, as well as services, property, rights representing an asset value or in connection with this purpose, for increasing public awareness of the name, designation or activities of an enterprise, or any merchandise or brand name.

12. Sponsorship: Contribution from a natural or legal person or a business association without legal personality to a media content provider or to specific media content with a view to promoting the name, brand, image, activity or products of the enterprise or those of another enterprise.

TITLE II SCOPE OF THE ACT Article 2

(1) This Act shall apply to media services and printed press materials provided by a media content provider established in the Republic of Hungary.

(2) For the purposes of this Act, a media content provider shall be deemed as established in the Republic of Hungary when it meets the following criteria:

a) the pertaining media service is provided via a frequency owned by the Republic of Hungary or the printed press product is accessible primarily through an electronic communications identifier allocated to users in the Republic of Hungary;

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b) the central seat of executive management is located, and editorial decisions related to the media service and printed press materials are made within the boundaries of the Republic of Hungary;

c) when either the central seat of executive management or the place where editorial decisions are made is located in the territory of the Republic of Hungary, with the majority of the media content provider‟s staff being employed in the territory of the Republic of Hungary;

d) if the majority of the media content provider‟s staff is employed both in and outside the territory of the Republic of Hungary but the central seat of executive management is located in the territory of the Republic of Hungary; or

e) when either the central seat of executive management or the place where editorial decisions are made is located in the territory of the Republic of Hungary, however the operations were commenced in the territory of the Republic of Hungary and actual, continuous contact is being maintained with players of the Hungarian economy;

(3) The scope of this Act shall extend to media services provided by a media content provider to which paragraphs (1) and (2) cannot be applied whenever such media content provider operates a satellite up-link station located in the territory of the Republic of Hungary or uses the transmission capacity of a satellite in the ownership of the Republic of Hungary.

(4) When, on the basis of paragraphs (1) – (3), it cannot be determined whether a particular media content provider falls under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Hungary or some other Member State, the media content provider shall fall under the jurisdiction of a state/country where, pursuant to the provisions of Articles 49 - 55 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,, it qualifies as established.

Article 3
(1) This Act shall apply to media services and printed press materials which, although outside the scope of Paragraphs 1-4 of Section 2, are targeted at, or distributed or published in the territory of the Republic of Hungary subject to the conditions set forth in Articles 176 – 180 of the Act CLXXXV of 2010 (hereinafter: the Media Act) on media services and mass communications.

(2) This Act shall apply to media services and printed press materials targeted at or distributed or published in the territory of the Republic of Hungary that are not deemed as established in any Member State of the European Economic Area, and the media services or printed press materials of which are not subject to the jurisdiction of any one of the Member States.

(3) This Act shall apply to media content providers rendering media services or publishing printed press materials that fall under the scope of the Act under Article 2 and paragraphs (1) - (2).

(4) In case of violation of this Act, the Media Council of the National Media and Infocommunications Authority may proceed and apply sanctions in accordance with the provisions of the Media Act on official proceedings.

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TITLE III FREEDOM OF THE PRESS Article 4
(1) The legal system of the Republic of Hungary recognises and respects the freedom of the press and ensures the diversity thereof.

(2) The freedom of the press also includes independence from the State and from any organisations or interest groups.

(3) The exercise of the freedom of the press may not constitute or abet an act of crime, violate public morals or prejudice the inherent rights of others.

Article 5

(1) The Act may set official registration as a precondition for the commencement of media services and the publication of printed press materials. The conditions set for registration may not restrict the freedom of press.

(2) When limited state-owned resources are used by the media service provider, successful participation in a tendering procedure advertised and conducted by the Media Authority may also be set as a condition for the commencement of the media service.

Article 6

(1) The media content provider and any person employed by or engaged, in any other legal relationship intended for the performance of work, with the media content provider shall have the right to keep the identity of its informant confidential (hereinafter referred to as: source of information). The right to keep such data confidential shall not apply to the protection of sources disclosing qualified data unlawfully.

(2) The media content provider and any person employed by or engaged, in any other legal relationship intended for the performance of work, with the media content provider shall have the right to keep the identity of their sources of information confidential even in judicial or other official proceedings, provided that the information thereby supplied were disclosed in the interest of the public.

(3) In exceptionally justified cases, courts or authorities may – in the interest of protecting national security and public order or uncovering or preventing criminal acts – require the media service provider and any person employed by or engaged, in any other legal relationship intended for the performance of work, with the media content provider to reveal the identity of the informant.

Article 7

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(1) Persons employed by or engaged, in any other legal relationship intended for the performance of work, with the media content provider shall be entitled to professional independence from the owner of the media content provider or from natural or legal persons or business associations without legal personality supporting the content provider or placing commercial announcements in the media content, as well as to protection against pressure from the owner or the sponsor aimed to influence media content (editorial independence and independence of journalism).

(2) No sanctions set forth in the labour law or originating from any other legal relationship intended for the performance of work may be applied against any person employed by or engaged, in any other legal relationship intended for the performance of work, with the media content provider for their rejection to comply with instructions resulting in a breach of editorial freedom and the freedom of journalism.

Article 8

(1) The media content provider and the persons employed by or engaged, in any other legal relationship intended for the performance of work, with the media content provider may not be held liable for any breach of law committed in connection with obtaining information of public interest provided the particular piece of information could not have been obtained otherwise or when the difficulties endured while obtaining such information would be out of proportion, unless such breach of law constitutes a disproportionate or serious violation and such information was obtained in disregard of the Act on the protection of qualified data.

(2) The entitlement laid down in paragraph (1) does not constitute an exemption from the enforceability of claims under civil law for compensation for damage in property caused by such unlawful conduct.

Article 9

Central and local government entities, institutions, officers, persons performing official and public duties and directors/managers of business associations in the majority ownership of the Government or municipalities shall assist media content providers with performing their reporting obligations by supplying the necessary information and data to the media content providers in a timely manner and in accordance with pertaining legislation on the disclosure of information of public interest and the freedom of information

TITLE IV THE RIGHTS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC

Article 10
All persons shall have the right to receive proper information on public affairs at a local, national and EU level, as well as on any event bearing relevance to the citizens of the Republic of Hungary and members of the Hungarian nation.

Article 11
In the Republic of Hungary, the public service media operates in order to preserve and strengthen integrity both on a national and European level, foster national, family, ethnic and

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religious communities, as well as promote and enrich national and minority languages and culture and meet the needs of citizens for information and culture.

TITLE V THE RIGHT FOR PRESS CORRECTIONS

Article 12

(1) If false facts are stated or being disseminated about a person or facts related to this person are distorted, whatever the media content, such person may demand the publication of a press correction suitable for identifying the part of the statement that is false or unfounded, and the facts that the statement has distorted, while also presenting the true and accurate facts.

(2) For newspapers, online content and news agencies, the press correction shall be published within five days upon receipt of the pertaining request, in a manner and to an extent similar to the publication of the challenged part of the statement: In case of on-demand media services, corrections shall be made within eight days upon receipt of the pertaining request, in a manner and to an extent similar to the publication of the challenged part of the statement, in case of other periodicals in the next issue/edition, eight days after receipt of the request to that effect, in a manner and to an extent similar to the publication of the challenged part of the statement, and in case of a linear media service within eight days in a manner similar to the publication of the challenged part of the statement and during the part of the day in which the challenged part was published.
TITLE VI OBLIGATIONS OF THE PRESS Article 13

(1) All media content providers shall provide authentic, rapid and accurate information on local, national and EU affairs and on any event that bears relevance to the citizens of the Republic of Hungary and members of the Hungarian nation.

(2) Linear and on-demand media content providers engaged in news coverage operations shall provide comprehensive, factual, up-to-date, objective and balanced coverage on local, national and European issues that may be of interest for the general public and on any event bearing relevance to the citizens of the Republic of Hungary and members of the Hungarian nation.

Article 14

(1) The media content provider shall – in the media content that it publishes and while preparing such media content – respect human dignity.

(2) No self-gratifying and detrimental coverage of persons in humiliating or defenceless situations is allowed in the media content.

Article 15

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(1) It is prohibited to misuse the approval granted to the media content provider for the publication of statements intended for public disclosure.

(2) The media content provider shall present the statement intended for public disclosure to the person having made the statement at such person‟s request, and may not publish the statement if the person having made the statement refuses to grant approval for publication because the media content provider has modified it materially and such modification is detrimental to the person having made the statement.

(3) The approval for the publication of statement may be withheld without any legal consequences in the event of misuse by the media content provider as defined in paragraph (1) provided that:

a) the statement was not made in connection with an event in public life at a local, national or European level;

b) the statement does not concern an event that bears relevance to the citizens of the Republic of Hungary and members of the Hungarian nation, or

c) although voiced by a civil servant or a person holding public office or a politically exposed person, the withdrawal statement has not been made in relation to such person's public duties
provided that such withdrawal is made within reasonable time before the publication and, therefore, will not cause disproportionate harm to the media content provider. Restrictions on this right under any contract shall be held invalid.

Article 16

The media content provider shall respect the constitutional order of the Republic of Hungary and its operations may not violate human rights.

Article 17

(1) The media content may not incite hatred against persons, nations, communities, national, ethnic, linguistic and other minorities or any majority as well as any church or religious groups.

(2) The media content may not offend or discriminate against - whether expressedly or by implication - persons, nations, communities, national, ethnic, linguistic and other minorities or any majority as well as any church or religious groups.

Article 18

The media content may not be suitable for the invasion of privacy.

Article 19
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(1) Linear media services may not include media content that could materially damage the intellectual, spiritual, moral or physical development of minors especially by broadcasting pornography or extreme or unreasonable violence.

(2) Access to media content in on-demand media services that could materially damage the intellectual, spiritual, moral or physical development of minors especially by displaying pornography or extreme or unreasonable violence may only be granted to the general public in a manner that prevents minors from accessing such content in ordinary circumstances.

(3) Access to media content in the printed press media that could materially damage the intellectual, spiritual, moral or physical development of minors especially by displaying pornography or extreme or unreasonable violence may only be granted to the general public in a manner that prevents minors – by the application of an appropriate technical or other solution – from accessing such content. In case the application of such solutions is not possible, the given content may only be published with a warning label informing about its possible harm to minors.

(4) Media content in linear media services that could damage the intellectual, spiritual, moral or physical development of minors may only be published in a manner that ensures – either by selecting the time of broadcasting or by means of a technical solution – that minors do not have the opportunity to listen to or watch such programmes in ordinary circumstances.

(5) The rules on the protection of minors against media content are laid down in detail in separate legislation.

Article 20

(1) Commercial announcements in the media content shall be easily recognisable.
(2) Advertisements in the media content shall be distinguishable from other media content.
(3) No implied commercial announcements may be published in the media content.
(4) Commercial announcements in the media content may not utilise techniques unperceivable by the conscious mind.
(5) No media content with a commercial announcement that may offend religious or ideological convictions may be published.
(6) Commercial announcements presented in media content may not encourage a conduct that could be harmful to health, safety or the environment.

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(7) The media content may not contain a commercial announcement aimed at promoting or presenting tobacco products, weapons, ammunition, explosives, prescription medication and therapeutic procedures. This restriction shall not apply to exemptions set forth in the Act on commercial advertising and other relevant legislation.
(8) The party sponsoring the media content shall be named concurrently with, immediately before, or after, the publication of such content.
(9) The media content published and financed in the context of the media service may not encourage, call for or discourage the use of products or services of the sponsoring party or a third party it has defined.
(10) The sponsoring party may not influence the media content or the publication thereof in a manner that could affect the liability or editorial freedom of the media content provider.

TITLE VII LIABILITY Article 21

(1) The media content provider shall exercise sole discretion in the publication of media content and shall be responsible for compliance with the provisions of this Act.
(2) The provisions of paragraph (1) shall not affect the responsibility of persons providing information to the media content provider or the persons employed by or engaged, in any other legal relationship intended for the performance of work, with the media content provider in relation to the compilation of the media content as defined in other legislation.

TITLE VIII AMENDED LEGISLATION Article 22 ...
TITLE IX. ENTRY INTO FORCE Article 23

(1) This Act shall enter into force on 1 January 2011. (2) Article 22 of this Act shall be repealed on the day following the entry into force
hereof.
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TITLE X ABBREVIATED NAME OF THE ACT Article 24

This Act shall be referred to in other legislation as “Smtv.” .
TITLE XI COMPLIANCE WITH EUROPEAN UNION LAW Article 25
This Act serves the purposes of compliance with the following legislative acts of the European Union:
a) Directive 2010/13/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 March 2010 on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the provision of audiovisual media services (codified version) (Audiovisual Media Services Directive);
b) Directive 2000/31/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2000 on certain legal aspects of information society services, in particular electronic commerce, in the Internal Market (Directive on electronic commerce);
c) Directive 2006/114/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 concerning misleading and comparative advertising (codified version);

d) Directive 2003/33/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 May 2003 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to the advertising and sponsorship of tobacco products;

e) Directive 2005/29/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2005 concerning unfair business-to-consumer commercial practices in the internal market and amending Council Directive 84/450/EEC, Directives 97/7/EC, 98/27/EC and 2002/65/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council („Unfair Commercial Practices Directive‟);

f) Directive 2001/83/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 November 2001 on the community code relating to medicinal products for human use.

David A.M. Fraser

EMAIL: fafaltd@gmail.com

I HOPE THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES HERE AND ABROAD ARE TAKING NOTE OF MR. GERARD SMALL by David Fraser

These quotes come Directly from Gerard Small. They were posted on Facebook today. These comments tantamount to someone who is claiming to be capitalist, but at the same time making some very damning statements about western society. Mr. Small blame...s the West and names the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the United States of America as undermining a sovereign country, causing instability. This is an act of war as defined in International Law and Practice. The statements also go on to attack the West and the USA virulently, and its intelligence agencies. For distraction value, he intermingles the comment “I am Capitalist” to mull over some rather strange comments which is not anchored by any salient research data to support its claims. Could Mr. Small put good reason behind these statements compiled from his blog activity today?? I hardly think not. Hopefully, the appropriate authorities are taking note. You be the judge from these statements:

Mr Small verbatim:

‘How is it Hugo Chavez is painted as a dictator, when the things he does are filled with uplifting the working class and balancing the greed and inequity that is pervading our society via this so called " Democracy" we say we live in , where the concept is so long you have to hell with the rest, Latin American countries are slowly rising to prominence and yes struggling in some instances ( and we know why) , is western propaganda hiding the truth from the real world, in order to promote it capitalist ideologies. which makes Elitism and greed are the order of the day’

Mr. Small verbatim continued:

‘I am sure though that one of the most poisonous things that can happen to a country is when you have a vision and the media , taints it to suit the elitists agendas , so what is the only choice hence i said , it was a given , people who talking about how many yacht s, cars and houses and how much people they destroy in business in order to amass fortunes will never allow people like Chavez to rise , this is a country that has CIA trying to destabilise it for years , so u got to do what you have to’

Mr. Small verbatim continued:

‘The socialist systems are only failing because there are attempts over the years to destabilize this concept from mushrooming , CIA operatives and co horts , western propaganda , BBC even admitted to tainting articles about ven , and US supporting Dictatorships either openly or clandestinely over the years, why is that , must be something they do not want to take root , just saying’

Mr. Small verbatim continued:

‘the 2002 coup attempt , CAI sponsored
‘Nicholas i am not an expert on venezuela , but what i do know is that when you go against the grain especially the elite who benefits from the capitalists system they are the ones that put forward the image that they want the public to see as it hurts there position , i am just seeking to understand somethings that do not seem balance to me. Now what i see is a Ven people that wants him there as there are mechanisms that could get him out if the people want to that speaks volumes( although the last referendum was questionable, but i expect that anyways) , they are always very close which also says some things. The people i see painting him and his concepts in a bad light is the people who he limits the amount they can control , which is what all over the world we are experiencing and causing all this destruction too much greed and inequality.’

END Quotes:

Even the misspelling, typos etc. were retained. Mr. Small claims to be no expert on Venezuela, but went on the make expertly qualified statements which has nothing to substantiate them. Mr. Small should explain to the members of this blog the ‘raison de’ detre’ (reason for being) for posting content which does not follow any logical pattern, or reflect any of the issues of the day. For a person who prefaces everything by caveats and excuses, one wonders what was the real objective of his post?

Respectfully Submitted,

David Fraser

EMAIL: fafaltd@gmail.com

David A.M. Fraser

EMAIL: fafaltd@gmail.com

Mr. Mohan Jaikaran … by David A.M. Fraser

Mr. Mohan Jaikaran should be praised for closing Ian Alleyne's Programme, Crime Watch. Mr. Jaikaran must be commended for such an important decision to save the society from propaganda and some of the worst unprofessional journalism I have witnessed in my time. As I said to Brian Pouchet, it was a matter of time that before he was taken off the air. Any self respecting society must act in its best interest. I see nothing good coming from his show, which lacks standards, is highly sensational, celebrates negativity, and carries a ‘don't care’ attitude to people and society which I will never watch, nor encourage any young family members to look at.

It is time we take back our society from the ultra far left types who cannot be told anything, over zealously liberal disrespecting content on the National Television Networks. This programme made no sense, it absolutely did what ought not to have been encouraged. I believe Mr. Jaikaran, may have as owner, after several complaints recognised he had a social responsibility to save the nation from this morass of stupid content.

Journalism sank to a new low, and besides the green verbs and nonsense that was called programming, the market of Mr. Alleyne is what I consider D market or the lowest market, which has no disposable spend. Therefore, from a strategic and business position, I can understand Mr. Jaikaran's alleged actions. His station might be looking at a realignment to more segments of the ABC market which has disposable income and thereby can attract advertising revenue. By and large, the country has been spared Mr. Alleyne, and just like the Gladiator of Ghetto Radio Fame, hopefully, a lot more of that ilk will be eventually retired from the airwaves and sanity should return. Mr. Jaikaran, I certainly do not know who you are, but hats off to you for standing up for Trinidad and Tobago.

WIN TV's PERSPECTIVE ON IAN ALLEYNE'S REMOVAL FROM THE MEDIA:

SUNIL, YOU HAVE MY FULL SUPPORT ON THIS ONE. AT LEAST THE PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS OF THE MEDIA ARE BEING UPHELD. AS IS SAID IAN ALLEYNE I DO NOT CONSIDER A JOURNALIST IN THE TRUE SENSE. THANK YOU WIN TV FOR MASHING THE BRAKES ON ALLEYNE. SUNIL RAMDEEN IS A JOURNALIST WITH NEARLY 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING AND SOMEONE I KNOW PERSONALLY. SO I WILL DEFINITELY BELIEVE SUNIL. SUNIL IS ALSO VERY WELL TRAINED.

Respectfully Submitted,

David A.M. Fraser

"To The Editor:

Contrary to statements being made to some parts of the media and online, we wish to state categorically that Crime Watch host Ian Alleyne was never fired from WIN TV.

The company had been receiving numerous complaints from members of the public that some statements being made on the show were in extremely poor taste, and even very insulting not just to some members of the national community, but to callers and even staff working alongside Mr. Alleyne.

Every media house in this country has certain guidelines in our licenses for how we should operate.

Several times in the past the company has urged Mr. Alleyne to be mindful of crossing the line since, despite a disclaimer, WIN TV is ultimately responsible.

The letter given to Mr. Alleyne was simply to reinforce this point, that while we are free to criticise strongly, becoming overly extreme to the point where it can be seen as derogatory is not necessary to make our point.

Indeed we recognised that Crime Watch is the number one show, and urged the host to let's go ahead and continue to hunt down the criminals together.

It is indeed unfortunate that Mr. Alleyne chose to interpret this as an attempt to muzzle him.

It came as much a surprise to us, as to other members of the national community when HE indicated, live on air, that he can no longer do the show!

WIN TV has stood by Mr. Alleyne every minute over the past four years, and we are deeply saddened that the impression is being given otherwise.

Mr. Alleyne more than anyone knows the unwavering support WIN has given him since he came in as an untried rookie four years ago, to become a major player on TV today.

We wish to state clearly once more, that Mr. Alleyne was never issued any dismissal letter as is being reported, rather, it was Mr. Alleyne who indicated on air, that he is no longer comfortable doing his show at WIN.

All we can do is wish him the best as he moves on, and hope that all his future endeavors are successful.

We wish him God's Blessings and good luck.

Sunil Ramdeen
General Manager."

David A.M. Fraser

EMAIL: fafaltd@gmail.com