Trinidad and Tobago politicians urged to take action on press freedom ahead of 2025 elections – JURIST

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on Thursday urged political candidates in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) to reaffirm their commitment to press freedom ahead of the upcoming elections, following a sharp drop in the country’s security ranking on the World Press Freedom Index. Rising crime and the declaration of a state of emergency caused the country’s security score to fall from 6th to 24th by 2024.

In 2023, RSF cited T&T as a “parliamentary democracy with a vibrant media landscape and civil society, [where] freedom of the press is a constitutionally guaranteed and widely respected right,” with no journalist reported imprisoned, killed, or missing. However, by 2024, the country’s murder rate had surged to one of the highest per capita in Latin America and the Caribbean, with 624 homicides in a population of just 1.5 million people. Most killings were linked to organized crime, as more than 100 gangs are believed to be active on the island.

Following this spike in violence, including over six murders committed in 48 hours, the government late last year declared a three-month national state of emergency, effective from December 30, 2024, to March 30, 2025. While aimed at restoring public order, the heightened security measures have raised concerns about potential restrictions on press freedom during a critical electoral period.

According to RSF, journalists now face growing threats and pressures that have led many to self-censor. Fear of reprisal has weakened investigative reporting, leaving the public with limited access to vital information ahead of the elections. A senior multimedia investigative journalist reported receiving threatening messages in March, while women journalists have been particularly targeted by cyber harassment from pro-government bloggers. Additionally, local bloggers and freelance reporters risk serious legal action under defamation laws if their work is seen as “crossing the line,” raising concerns about selective censorship and political bias.

In light of these developments, RSF is calling on the next government to adopt three urgent measures to safeguard press freedom: protect journalists, guarantee access to information, and support media diversity and independence. RSF has expressed its willingness to engage in a productive dialogue with political party leaders to ensure that these commitments are implemented.