newsday.co.tt Devant condemns Dr Rowley By ANDRE BAGOO Tuesday, March 25 2014 FOOD Production Minister, Devant Maharaj, yesterday “vehemently condemned” Opposition Leader and PNM political leader, Dr Keith Rowley, for recent political platform comments which Maharaj said amounted to “unfounded assaults” on two media houses. Maharaj referred to statements by Rowley about Express columnist Lennox Grant and Guardian Media Limited’s deputy managing director, Dr Hamid Ghany. Rowley had criticised both for criticising his record on the question of the PNM’s “Vision 2020”. In a media release yesterday, Maharaj accused Rowley of misinformation in relation to Grant. “I vehemently condemn Dr. Rowley for his scathing attack on, not one, but two major media houses in just one week,” Maharaj said. “His unfounded assaults, laced with misinformation, are telling that should Rowley ever hold office, the media may be severely restricted. “Not only is Dr Rowley guilty of vulgar self-promotion, but he espouses a simple minded interpretation of the role of the media.” Rowley did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Maharaj said last week Wednesday, at a political meeting, Rowley, “brought Grant under fire” for describing Rowley’s plans to return to Vision 2020 as “time-warped.” Maharaj said Rowley described Grant as a “politician who once ran against the PNM, and lost his deposit”, but Grant was, in fact, never a candidate. Maharaj said Rowley erroneously attempted to correct this blunder by referring to Mr. Grant as, the general secretary of Tapia. “Dr Rowley obviously does not see the need to validate his opinions by first checking the facts, instead of casting aspersions, not once but twice!” Maharaj said. “Dr Rowley continued with his despotic behaviour attacking the Guardian and Guardian Media Ltd’s deputy managing director and managing editor, Dr Hamid Ghany, for the editorial in Saturday’s paper in defence of Mr Grant.” Maharaj said the attacks came after threats against a third media outlet. “These attacks come on the heels of last month’s threat of legal action against radio station Talk City 91.1FM by PNM general secretary, Ashton Ford, for what he perceives to be a campaign of hate, against Rowley by statements made by a guest on a morning talk show,” Maharaj said. “Mr Ford said that this was not the first time Dr Rowley has been subjected to brutal attacks. And they are hoping to put an end to the abuse and misinformation that goes on the radio with impunity.” Maharaj said the criticisms amount to an attack on the media, and are unconstitutional. © newsday.co.tt - newsday.co.tt
Posted on: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 13:53:24 +0000
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