PRESS SECRETARY
OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER
News Release

Wednesday March 15th 2006, St. George’s: The Government of Grenada is extremely concerned about statements being made by the Media Workers Association of Grenada which directly question the independence of the Royal Grenada Police Force and by extension the rule of democracy and law in Grenada. The Media workers in a statement yesterday distributed by President Michael Bascombe accused the Government of colluding with the Royal Grenada Police Force in an attempt to suppress the media. Government calls on the Media Workers Association of Grenada to withdraw this unsubstantiated statement and calls on the Association of Caribbean Media to investigate these statements made by MWAG.

The matter referred to by MWAG is a police matter and has absolutely nothing to do with Government. However, MWAG’s statement and condemnation of the police action seeks to interfere with the rule of law, and the right of the police force to uphold the laws of this country by investigating and acting upon abuse of the law and complaints made by citizens of the country.

Government believes that media must be free but also fair. Government believes that media practitioners while being allowed to work in a free environment must exercise responsibility and respect for people and institutions. The media, like government and any other institution within Grenada must operate within the confines of the law. Therefore Government makes a further call to MWAG to recognise that journalists are not above the law and are not free to make statements against citizens of this country without clear evidence. The Constitution of Grenada has provisions to protect all citizens against harm, including harm to their character and reputation.

Government would like to commend the Royal Grenada Police Force for continuing to work to protect the citizens of Grenada. Government is pleased with the work of the police force and the independence that police officers have shown in upholding the law even where this has meant that some of their own have suffered.