Dear Editor,
Journalists should be allowed the absolute freedom to ply their trade even when working in a state controlled media agency. They should be free to air their views without having to worry about punitive measures for comments critical of government. In Trinidad, the government has found itself in a storm (or bacchanal) over the firing of a TV talk show host on the government controlled TV station CNMG over statements made on air. It is being viewed as an attempt to silence free speech.
The firing came two days after an exchange between the host, Fazeer Mohammed, and Foreign Minister Suruj Rambachan about the role of women in government. Rambachan was a guest on a morning show and was questioned by host Mohammed on whether Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar’s statement on “tied aid to Caricom countries” was “diplomatic.” Instead of answering the question, Rambachan queried whether Mohammed had a problem with a woman leading the country. And instead of pressing Rambachan to answer the question, Mohammed allowed himself to be sidetracked to make a controversial statement. He responded to Rambachan that his Islamic faith precluded women from holding leadership positions. He subsequently stated that it was related to his faith and had nothing to do with the Prime Minister.
Mohammed was fired two days after the exchange. And several orthodox Muslims are up in arms claiming that Mohammed was fired because of his religious belief on the role of women in leadership. The government insists that the firing has nothing to do with Mohammed’s comments or faith. Rambachan said he had nothing to do with Mohammed’s firing. The head of the government media agency, Ken Ali, himself a Muslim, has said the exchange between Rambachan and Mohammed, had nothing to do with the firing. The Prime Minister said she has no qualms about Mohammed’s freedom of speech and assured the nation that Mohammed was not fired but had been reassigned to cover sport which is his forte.
Many people commented that Mohammed came across as brash, and was not the right person to host a morning TV programme. Some commentators, myself included, have a problem with Mohammed’s views on the role of women in leadership. A journalist should be free to espouse his views but certain privately held views should not be stated in public. Stating publicly that women have no role in leadership is absolutely foolish. And I am not certain that Islam precludes women from being leaders. How else would one explain that there are several Islamic countries where women hold or have held leadership? Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan come to mind. Also, India’s Rajjya Sabha or Upper House of parliament was recently led by a Muslim female.
Women serve as ministers of government in Malaysia, Turkey, Morocco and UAE.
Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, etc, are taking measures to allow women to serve in leadership positions in organizations and government offices. So Mohammed’s comments about women are not in sync with today’s world.
Women should be allowed in all positions, regardless of faith. And Kamla has proven herself to be quite adept at managing the affairs of T&T and she enjoys high favourability ratings.
The timing of Mohammed’s removal from the TV station morning programme was most unfortunate, giving the impression he was being penalized for his views about a woman leading T&T.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
