Media houses need to uphold their responsibilities to journalists and the public by thoroughly investigating allegations of conflicts of interest and sexual harassment.
This was the view of the Media Association of T&T (Matt) yesterday in response to the current controversy regarding journalist Anika Gumbs’ allegations of sexual harassment against Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley.
In a resignation letter published in the Express on Saturday, Gumbs said Rowley had made several inappropriate remarks to her during interviews at his house in Diego Martin.
Gumbs has since received public criticism about her motives and her business interests, which included receiving government contracts.
In a release yesterday, the association, acknowledging that it was a politically sensitive period of a general election campaign and would not comment on the political merits or demerits of the issue.
“Rather, Matt wishes to intervene on the media-related aspects that fall within our mandate to promote journalistic best practices and a strong, independent media.
“We highlight the duty of media houses to promptly address allegations of conflicts of interest and sexual harassment.”
Matt said it was the business of the media house to which Gumbs was attached to investigate the possible conflict of interest; take action, if necessary, to protect its reputation and the reputations of all its journalists; and communicate outcomes with the public it serves.
“Credibility is the stock-in-trade of journalism and any matter that might undermine or potentially undermine the professional integrity of both journalist and media house, such as a perceived conflict of interest, should be effectively confronted by employers.”
Matt said the issue also raised a critical discussion on sexual harassment of especially female journalists, already the subject of discussion by journalists internationally.
“Matt has received numerous accounts of sexual harassment episodes from journalists who continue to suffer disturbing effects years after the experience. In all cases where reports of sexual harassment are made, media houses must address such allegations swiftly and decisively to prevent recurrence.”
Matt called on all media houses to strengthen internal policies and protocols related to conflicts of interest and sexual harassment.