MWAG condemns banning of press from swearing-in ceremony

by Linda Straker

• Press barred from covering Instruments of Appointment ceremony
• GIS invited media to news conference on Friday
• MWAG statement called on wider civil society to take note of stunning development

The Media Workers Association of Grenada (MWAG) is condemning the Government of Grenada’s decision to block journalists and reporters from covering the ceremony where Instruments of Appointment were presented to new ministers of Government as a result of a Cabinet reshuffle.

“It is the first time in the modern history of Grenada, that a government has barred coverage by independent Press, of the swearing-in of members of the Cabinet of Ministers, treating it as if it is their private function,” said a statement issued by MWAG, after the ceremony was held at the Office of the Governor General on Thursday, 4 January 2024.

“The Government of Grenada has once again shown its total contempt for the local media, and by extension, the people of the country, by completely barring reporters and photographers from the swearing-in of new Cabinet Ministers today 4 January 2024,” said the statement, which was also copied to Governor General Dame Cecile La Grenade.

The statement was also copied to Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell who is the Minister of Information; Senator Andre Lewis, President of the Grenada Trade Union Council; the Grenada Conference of Churches; the Grenada Bar Association as well as Media Managers and Owners.

“Also shocking is that the administration will not deign to speak to the Press for a full 24 hours after formalising the new Cabinet of Ministers. Following the infamous “on a need-to-know basis” contemptuous comment, and the dismantling of the weekly post-cabinet briefing, we view this development as a dangerous new low,” the statement added.

On Wednesday, the Government Information Service (GIS) invited the media to a news conference on Friday. “This press conference will address new portfolios assigned to members of government in a recent Cabinet Reshuffle. At the head table will be all the Ministers who have been assigned new Ministerial Portfolios,” said the invitation.

“The Media Workers Association roundly condemns this creeping contempt and wanton disrespect of the media by this current administration. Not just the media, but the People of Grenada, deserve a full explanation as to the genesis of this decision; an appropriate apology, and a declared commitment not to seek to restrict access to the independent media, nor stifle coverage of matters of clear public interest.”

The statement called on wider civil society to take note of this stunning development and to add their voices of condemnation.