A reporter from the GRENADA TODAY newspaper was denied entry at the Government Ministerial Complex in the Botanical Gardens.
Senior Reporter, Wayne Modeste, went to the six-storey complex last week Wednesday following an invitation extended to the newspaper by the Ministry of Tourism for coverage of a Press Conference.

According to Modeste, he was denied entry by the two female security officers stationed at the main entrance on the lower level of the building.

He said that after signing the entry book which is manned by one Azianne Antoine of Happy Hill, St. George's, he proceeded to the security check point where he was then denied entry into the main area of the complex.

"When I got to the security check point I opened my back pack for examination, but was then told by one of the officers that I will have to leave my bag behind. I then informed her that I am a reporter and that I am here to cover a press conference," he said.

Modeste said his bag contained his regular equipment that are used in the execution of his duties. They included his camera, tape recorder, cassettes, note pads, along with a bottle of water and a cap.

The GRENADA TODAY Reporter indicated that other sections of the media were allowed to enter the building and proceed to the press conference with their bags.

Modeste said that one of the female security officers who was insisting on him leaving his bag behind had an encounter three weeks ago at the Trade Center at Grands Anse with his Editor, George Worme on conclusion of the Richard Cheltenham Commission of Inquiry into alleged bribery payments accepted by Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell from jailed con-man Eric Resteiner.
That female security officer was heard and seen by a number of persons including reporters from other media houses telling Worme in a hostile manner to "bring the tape" which allegedly shows Dr. Mitchell receiving an alleged US$500, 000.00 payment from the international fraudster.

Modeste said that he regards the incident with the Guard at the Ministerial Complex as one aimed at targeting both him and the newspaper for harassment due its constant exposure of corruption within the NNP administration.  

He said that shortly after he was denied entry into the Ministerial Complex a group of three people from Meaningful Television (MTV) arrived, one of which was carrying a larger bag than what he (Modeste) was carrying with him.

He pointed out that the MTV personnel was not asked to have the bag searched, nor told that he will have to leave the bag behind at the security check point and proceed to the press conference taking place on the 4th Floor of the building.

Modeste spoke of being baffled over the behaviour of the security officers of the day as he frequents the Ministerial Complex on a weekly basis to cover the Ministerial Press Conferences.

"I consider the incident as a serious violation of my rights to enter a public building as a journalist. However, I wish to declare that such impostors who pose as security officers at the Ministerial Complex will in no way obstruct me from carrying out my professional duties," he said.

The management of GRENADA TODAY plans to raise the issue with the Media Workers Association of Grenada (MWAG).