ST GEORGE‘S, Grenada: The Media Workers’ Association of Grenada (MWAG) has issued a statement saying it views with grave concern the recent attempts by Government to intimidate the local media as it relates to an article published by Offshore Alert and remarks by the opposition leader on the issue. MWAG says it is deeply concerned about the threat of legal action against media houses for broadcasting or publishing the proceedings at a press conference held by the Opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Monday May 10, 2004. The Leader of the Opposition said they planned to quiz the Government about the contents of a recent article by Offshore Alert which accused the Prime Minister of allegedly receiving money from a fraudster. However, in a release issued by the Government through the Government Information Service, it warns that if media houses proceed to publish the contents of the article, “The full force of the law will be brought to bear against anyone responsible or associated with the publication of this story”. MWAG believes it is inappropriate for the Government to issue bold threats of legal action and views this as an attempt to censor the media in Grenada. The association also notes Grenada’s signatory to the principles of the declaration of Chapultepec which denounces prior censorship, restrictions on the circulation of the media or dissemination of their reports, arbitrary management of information, the imposition of obstacles to the free flow of news, and restrictions on the activities and movements of journalists directly contradicts freedom of the press. However several media houses have vowed to defy the statement made by the government which is believed to have been drafted by a legal adviser on contract. Meanwhile, Miami-based journalist and publisher of Offshore Alert, David Marchant, commenting on these developments said, "A free press is the cornerstone of any democracy and it should surprise no-one that the printing press is generally considered by intelligent people to be the greatest invention in the history of mankind. "However, a printing press or its modern day electronic equivalent - the Internet - is of little use to a publisher of investigative information if it is accompanied by a legal system that heavily favours those accused of improper behaviour. "Such a system currently exists in the United Kingdom and in territories that have adopted its libel legislation. "The immediate victim is the publisher but the ultimate victim is society in that the system allows criminals, corrupt politicians and incompetents to continue their harmful practices for prolonged periods with little fear of being exposed. "I am fortunate to live in the United States, whose laws encourage and protect free speech and have libel laws that are considerably more beneficial to society than in the UK and its overseas territories. "However, I can successfully defend my articles under any fair legal system." Reprinted from Caribbean Net News caribbeannetnews.com