Defence attorney and temporary Government Senator Wayne Sturge is one of the men behind the group Citizens 4D Highway, and claims the objective is to embarras the media into action.
Speaking with CNC3 outside the Hall of Justice, Port-of-Spain, yesterday, Sturge said the group had a backing of 700,000 followers, each contributing one dollar. He said that was more than enough to pay for the ad which depicted Dr Wayne Kublalsingh as a human reptile capable of consuming food and water through his pores.
The group is also behind a Web site, myright2speak.com, which has two ads claiming censorship by the media. The site boasts that it is a platform where those whose expression of an opinion is being denied can come to and be afforded the right to speak as long as the statement is not defamatory, promoting violence or illegal behaviour.
“The media thrives by creating an environment that encourages and enables such rich discussion.
“If the media, however, seeks to silence this debate and stifle freedom of expression, it is actually counter-productive. This forum allows any and everyone the opportunity to be heard on a variety of subjects. You can arrive here and condemn the site if you wish. No one will filter your voice. That is your right,” the site states.
“I think it is about time that the media is embarrassed into action. The media and the T&T Broadcasters Association (sic) has suddenly decided that they are going to make regulations and have some objective criteria set.
“What many people found to be tasteless by the media in the past that have been passed by editors seems now is so insignificant compared to those you are refusing to publish,” Sturge said. He added that in other countries there were already set objective criteria for publishing ads, which he admitted was at the discretion of the editor. Sturge said T&T did not have any such objective criteria.
He said the ad was satirical and the media’s claim it was tasteless was insufficient to deny them publication. He denied the group was being funded by the Government or any business conglomerate.
“You (the media) have too much of a responsibility if you are free and you have this power to wield to disseminate information and influence the mind you have to be responsible and transparent,” he said. He added that the group would remain active once its mandate was achieved and even after that it would be keeping a watchful eye on the media.
Ravi Maharaj, who cancelled his hunger strike five days in after collapsing, has been identified as the face of the group and would be spokesman. Maharaj began his hunger strike in opposition to Kublalsingh’s hunger strike for the discontinuation of the Debe to Mon Desir leg of the Point Fortin Highway.
