Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on April 24 urged political candidates in Trinidad & 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 RSF's World Press Freedom Index. Rising crime and the declaration of a state of emergency caused the country's security score, ranking the level of safety for journalists, to fall from 6th to 24th in 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 the end of 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 in the two-island nation.

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."

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.

From JURIST, April 27. Used with permission.

Note: The opposition won the April 28 parliamentary elections, returning former prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to office. Her centrist United National Congress (UNC) declared victory after preliminary results showed the party won more than half the seats in the House of Representatives, with the incumbent center-left People's National Movement (PNM) conceding defeat. (AFP)

See our last report on Trinidad & Tobago.