The Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) notes with concern the recent threats against the life of Mark Bassant, Investigative Journalist associated with two of its member media houses in Trinidad and Tobago, CCN TV-6 and The Express Newspaper.

After addressing a similar issue in Jamaica just a few months ago in October 2024,  CBU finds it unfortunate that it must re-iterate the need for freedom of information and freedom of the press.

Even as it observes the full-on assault on journalism being suffered by media professionals in CARICOM sister-nation Haiti, the CBU has noted the troubling increase in these types of incidents affecting news professionals throughout the region, as they seek to perform their public duties.

The CBU expresses wholehearted support for professional journalism and for the independence of the media in covering all aspects of society, including political issues.

In line with this commitment the CBU, recently partnered with the Public Media Alliance (PMA) and UNESCO to shine a spotlight on this negative trend during an online workshop on Caribbean Journalists Safety that took place on February 27, 2025.  It was particularly heartening to collaborate with the Caribbean Court of Justice which under a recently signed MOU with UNESCO has also committed to building the capacity of the judiciary to address issues relating to media freedom and journalists’ safety.

The CBU will be extending its support for the profession in the Caribbean by a follow-up event, again in partnership with the Public Media Alliance to share tools and techniques to help keep news practitioners safe and able to carry out their duties so necessary to the region’s growth and sustainability.

The CBU reiterates its condemnation of unjustified attacks on media practitioners, wherever they may occur, since they can only serve to undermine one of the key pillars of democratic society and good governance, which is a fair and independent media sector.