Embattled President of the Media Workers Association of Grenada (MWAG), Carla Briggs has hit back at her executive members.

Briggs who is the Editor of the Grenada Informer Newspaper has written to her 1st Vice-President Michael Bascombe giving him a directive to stop issuing press releases without her permission.

Informed sources told GRENADA TODAY that Briggs was heavily criticised last week by members over her apparent "continued silence" on a number of issues affecting local journalists on the island.

The latest involves a threat issued by the Director of the Government Information Service (GIS), Selwyn Noel that media houses will feel the "full weight of the law" if they reproduce an article from a Miami-based publications alleging that $500, 000 U.S was paid to Grenada Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mithcell by German national Eric Resteiner for a diplomatic position.

Dr. Mitchell addressed the nation about two weeks ago and denied the charge while threatening to file law suits against a number of media houses over the allegation. Briggs' paper is considered to be closely aligned to Dr. Mitchell's New National Party (NNP) government which is under criticisms for attempting to curtail press freedom on the island.

Following is the full text of Briggs' letter to Bascombe:

NO MORE UNAUTHORISED RELEASES PLEASE

May 31st, 2004
Mr. Michael Bascombe,
1st Vice President,
Media Workers' Association of Grenada,
St. George's,

Mr. Bascombe,

I hereby request that, with immediate effect, no release from Media Workers' Association of Grenada be sent out without my approval.
MWAG, even when protesting threats to press freedom and showing solidarity to 'victims', must be responsible and be sure to release only accurate information.

I look forward to your prompt cooperation.

Carla-Rae A. Briggs
President
Media Workers' Association of Grenada