Media Ownership

Who owns the Media?

The question to the average individual signifies the person or persons who to use the local terminology “those who run tings”. The individuals who sign the big checks, those who chart the course for the workers have to follow.

However in today’s business environment that may mean the owners living in a different local, government or the public.

In Trinidad and Tobago owners include government, journalists and corporations, who control all forms, the print, radio, television, cable and internet.

The owners as in all businesses determine what products are offered to the public. The content that is offered is reflective of those at the helm and their view of what is important and what’s not.

In terms of the media that is under governmental control, it is believed that they reflect the views of the government of the day. What are the views of the administration can be seen through the content that is distributed. An example of this can be seen in the production of the GIS (government information system unit). The programs reflect the highs of the government and avoid their lows. For those who attempt to differ, the results can be pronounced. Fazir Mohammed formerly of the CNMG media house appeared to suffer from going against the grain when he asked what were perceived improper questions of a Government official. A question thou, is it not the governments’ role to be in service of the people?

Those under private control have to satisfy the interest of the shareholder groups. They produced content that is reflective of this body of individuals. Content from these houses may be varied and cover a multitude of topics. These can range from religious ideals like IBN, entertainment such as Synergy TV, news and current affairs as those on CNC3, CCN and CNMG. They can align themselves with who so ever they wish as well as oppose the same way. CCN played a major role in the lead up to the last general elections where their stories were thought to be against the Manning administration. In many quarters in was felt that they were aligned with the PP coalition, where they were given a lot more coverage than the incumbent administration.

Media globally is thought to free and fair, my question now is there such a Media house which is not tainted by some view or movement? Can they exist in an environment and produced content that is free of bias?