- Grenada government bars media from Cabinet swearing-in ceremony
The Grenada government prevented all media representatives from covering the swearing-in ceremony of the new cabinet ministers on Thursday.
Following the government’s lead, the Media Workers Association of Grenada (MWAG) sharply condemned the decision, describing it as a “dangerous new low” in the government’s handling of the independent press.
The media has been barred from attending such a significant government event for the first time in Grenada’s modern history.
MWAG said in a statement that the government’s actions showed “total contempt” for local media and the Grenadian people.
The association has also urged that the government provide a detailed explanation and apologise, as well as a vow not to restrict media access in the future.
The inauguration took place on Thursday, but no visuals or details were made available to the media.
According to the MWAG announcement, the administration will not speak to the press for 24 hours after the new cabinet is formed.
This follows prior events such as the discontinuation of weekly post-cabinet briefings and a government official telling the media that they will be told on a “need-to-know basis.”
MWAG has called on civil society organisations to denounce the government’s press restrictions, including the Grenada Trade Union Council and the Conference of Churches and Bar Association.
The ceremony was presided over by Grenada’s Governor General, Dame Cecile La Grenade.
The new administration was formed by Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, who took office roughly a year and a half ago.
The statement was signed by the president, secretary, assistant secretary, and treasurer of MWAG.
MWAG has urged that the government provide a thorough explanation and apologise for this unprecedented exclusion of independent media.
