MATT Urges PM Persad-Bissessar to Return to Press Briefings

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is under increasing pressure to resume regular post-Cabinet media briefings, a year after her last press conference on June 5, 2025. The Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT) has written to the Prime Minister, urging a return to these sessions, which they see as crucial for government transparency.

MATT’s concerns are echoed by former Prime Minister Keith Rowley, who highlighted the importance of such briefings in fostering accountability. Rowley, known for frequent media interactions during his tenure, emphasized that post-Cabinet briefings are essential for allowing the public to understand and question government activities directly.

Criticism has mounted over Persad-Bissessar’s preference for communicating via social media platforms instead of direct engagement with journalists. MATT has noted a decrease in national engagement without regular briefings and questioned the effectiveness of relying solely on social media for government communications.

In response to these critiques, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar defended her approach, asserting that her ministers are competent to answer questions on her behalf. However, MATT insists that unscripted questions at formal press conferences are vital for a transparent democracy, allowing the media to fulfill its duty to hold authorities accountable.

Other political figures and analysts point to the vacuum left by the absence of regular briefings. They warn that public confidence in leadership could wane if the government continues to operate without media scrutiny, potentially exacerbating existing challenges facing Trinidad and Tobago.