Rowley condemns attacks on media

(Trinidad Express) Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has responded to the recent attacks on media workers, saying it was wholly unacceptable and should not be initiated or encouraged by any person, under any circumstances.

In a media release yesterday afternoon, Rowley stated that where any laws have been broken it is unreservedly expected that adequate law enforcement is available so that the law will take its course.

And he suggested that investigations into the fake oil fiasco at State-owned Petrotrin involving A&V Oil and Gas Ltd are permitted to be conducted.

“In so far as these reports relate to problems and allegations at State-owned Petrotrin operations, it would be in the interest of all parties and the nation as a whole if necessary investigations of all aspects of these operations, are permitted to be conducted and concluded in such a manner as to facilitate clear and definitive conclusions which would allow the necessary accountability that the circumstances demand,” he stated.

Rowley was responding to reports that Guardian Media photographer Kristian De Silva was beaten by two persons and his equipment broken in an attack outside A&V Oil and Gas Ltd on Friday.

TV6 cameraman, Phil Britton, was also attacked by persons throwing glass bottles at his vehicle. And Newsday reporter Jeff Mayers was threatened by a security guard on the compound.