TATT-TTPBA WEBINAR SERIES

COVERING ELECTIONS

TRAINING SESSIONS – THURSDAY 16^TH AND MONDAY 20^TH JULY 2020

The Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad & Tobago (TATT) partnered with the TTPBA to host a webinar on “Covering Elections” in light of the upcoming General Election on 10^th August 2020. The webinar comprised two half-days on Thursday 16^th and Monday 20^th July 2020. Participants included twenty-four journalists in attendance and fourteen COSTAATT students.

Day 1 Presenters included Mr. Noble Philip of Market Facts & Opinions speaking on Opinion Polls and Pollsters, Dr. Bishnu Ragoonath, head of the Department of Political Science, speaking on the Ethical Political Code of Conduct, Mr. Wesley Gibbings, VP of the Media Institute of the Caribbean and Mr. Peter Richards, Regional Editor of the Caribbean Media Corporation, who together addressed several aspects of Elections and the Media, and Ms. Kiran Maharaj, President of the TTPBA, speaking on Guidelines for Coverage and Advertising.

Day 2 Presenters saw representatives of the Elections and Boundaries Commission, headed by Chief Election Offices, Mrs. Fern Narcis-Scope, explaining the Electoral Process. Mr. Rajiv Persad, Attorney-at-Law, followed on Broadcasters/Publishers’ liability in Election Coverage issues. There was a panel discussion on Talk Shows as they relate to political parties and campaigning, with panelists Senior Journalists Tony Fraser and Natalee Legore. Wesley Gibbings rounded up the presentation with Covering Virtual Events and Guidelines/Rules for Journalists, particularly in light of COVID-19 restrictions.

There were Q&A segments after each session with journalists and students asking very pertinent questions and receiving clarification from presenters.

The TTPBA takes this opportunity to again thank TATT for their commitment to training in the broadcasting and publishing field and we look forward to working with them again on further training later this year.

Thank you to all our presenters who ably and expertly shared information.

Finally, thank you to our journalists and students for attending and having such a keen interest in the development of the media industry.