Trinidad and Tobago has fallen 13 places in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, now ranked 32nd out of 180 countries, down from 19th last year.
In a statement marking the 35th anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration, President of the Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago, Prior Beharry says journalists in Trinidad and Tobago remain relatively safe, with no recent cases of detention or killings, even during recent states of emergency.
He emphasized, however, that press freedom is a right for all citizens and warned that intimidation of journalists ultimately affects the public’s right to information.
According to Reporters Without Borders, the nation’s overall score dropped from 79.1 to 74.7, with concerns including political advertising influencing editorial independence, self-censorship linked to crime and weak witness protection, and the targeting of female journalists.
Mr. Beharry also pointed to rising challenges online, including misinformation and what he described as coordinated efforts by political operatives to discredit journalists. He says incidents of reporters being recorded while working, then shared out of context on social media, are intended to undermine public trust in the media.
MATT says it will continue to advocate for media independence, ethical standards, and the protection of journalists across the country.