00:00Defamation and sedition laws are two legislative frameworks outlining limitations to certain aspects of freedom of expression.
00:08But is it being used by the government to silence those in criticism of decisions being made?
00:14Over a week ago, Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander called on the United States to take action against media personnel based in the U.S.,
00:23who he said are making dangerous statements, threatening collaboration between the U.S. and TNT, as well as seeking to destabilize the country.
00:31Movement for Social Justice public law spokesperson Atini Renako Gregg says governments in past, including the Eric Williams administration,
00:39have tried to curb people from rising up against them.
00:43He adds that many who did rise up were considered radicals and were punished for it.
00:48It doesn't mean that it cannot happen today.
00:53And I think we have to flag when we hear the government coming out and saying things like,
01:00we have to do something about those who are seeking to destabilize our country because it has real meaning.
01:07Gregg says subsequent to Alexander's statements, the TTPS has been cautioning the public on social media about sedition and what it constitutes.
01:16And the highlighted elements of the sedition act that point to the fact that, well, if you're saying something that, you know, is like I had mentioned earlier with the definition of the sedition act,
01:30that seeks to cause a rift, right, to make, to create animosity between the classes, you could be charged for that.
01:43The attorney says the threat is serious enough to make some people refrain from expressing their opinions.
01:49And he refers to it as, quote unquote, a way to keep people in place.
01:53And yes, we do not, wouldn't condone or say that it's okay.
02:00You could say anything, even if it means threatening a politician or whomever.
02:05We have to be wary of that slippery slope between you saying that, you know, this is a threat towards this person,
02:17and you just prevented somebody from expressing legitimate criticism of the government.
02:26Meanwhile, MSJ leader David Abdullah cites what he believes is the unequal and convenient application of the sedition law.
02:34There are bloggers who, and people on social media, who constantly put up very dangerous, really, hateful racial slurs, right?
02:51Whether it is attacking African or Indian, it goes both ways,
02:56which are really meant to stir up racial, in some cases religious, hatred against a particular group.
03:05But you have never seen, I've never seen any police investigation or charges against those people.
03:16The MSJ is calling for it to be addressed from all fronts, including the TTPS and the heads of political parties.
03:23Alicia Boucher, TV6 News.
Comments