The Media Workers Association of Grenada (MWAG) has once again written to Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell to complain about the harassment of local journalists attending events organised by the ruling New National Party (NNP).

The association was forced to take the step in light of abuses hurled at journalists attending the recent General Council meeting of NNP at Mac Donald's College in St. Patrick's.

A female member of a television crew of the Grenada Broadcasting Network was left crying from the attacks by party members. Another female reporter on assignment was reportedly prevented from entering the convention centre by hostile supporters of the ruling party.

The NNP has been seeking to blame the local media for its coverage of a report which emanated from Miami in the United States about an alleged US$500, 000.00 bribe paid to Dr. Mitchell by German fraudster Eric Resteiner for a diplomatic position.

The Grenadian leader has denied the charge and announced that he had filed libel suits against the publishers, David Marchant and his KYC News outfit. Following is the full text of the MWAG letter to Prime Minister Mitchell:

May 27, 2004

Dr. Keith Mitchell
Political Leader
New National Party
Mt. Helicon
Tanteen
St. George's

Dear Sir,

I am directed by the above named association to record our disgust and displeasure with the hostile treatment meted out to some media workers at your Party's General Council Meeting on Sunday May 23rd, 2004 at McDonald's College, St Patrick's. As you are aware a television crew and reporters were heckled and abused by Party members and supporters within the immediate environment of the General Council's Hall.

This despicable behaviour we strongly condemn, and call upon your Party to ensure such acts of intimidation are not repeated. It is not the first time that media workers have experienced hostility at NNP events. We recall that during the 1995 NNP Convention at the GBSS you identified and launched a blistering attack on a local media worker, Mr. Richard Simon, who at that time was the CANA correspondent.

This changed the entire tone and the atmosphere of the Convention and Mr. Simon became concerned for his safety. More recently, at another NNP Convention held at the Trade Centre, missiles were thrown at media workers covering the event.

Clearly, there is a history and pattern of NNP members being openly hostile to the point of resorting to physical action. The Leadership of the Party did offer an apology and made expressions of regret over the incident then but yet again, we have been treated in almost the same manner.

However, we sincerely appeal to you as Party Leader to ensure that media workers are uninhibited in the performance of their duties and to remind you of your obligations under the Charter of Chapultepec, of which Grenada is a signatory.

Thanking you in advance.

Yours respectfully,
Ray Roberts
General Secretary.

cc: ACM, ECPC, Conference of Churches, OAS, US Embassy, British
High Commission, GCIC, TUC, Craig Reynolds, Richard Purcell