00:00The government says it has observed what it describes as a coordinated campaign of misinformation surrounding national security issues.
00:08According to the Ministry of Defense, questions raised by members of the opposition and some journalists about Trinidad and Tobago's
00:15cooperation with the United States and alleged tensions involve information that cannot be publicly disclosed.
00:22The ministry says such matters relate to intelligence and security operations that are legally protected from disclosure.
00:30In its statement, government also criticized a member of parliament for Aruka Lopino Marvin Gonzalez, accusing him of raising questions
00:38that it says were designed to create public fair.
00:41The ministry further argued that while some critics claim the public has a right to know, the law allows the
00:47government to withhold information where disclosure could threaten national security.
00:52It pointed to rulings by the United Kingdom's highest courts and provisions within Trinidad and Tobago's Freedom of Information Act,
00:59which allow authorities to refuse disclosure if it could prejudice the country's defense or the work of security agencies.
01:07The ministry also noted that neither the opposition nor media organizations have sought a court order to compel disclosure.
01:13It maintains that questions relating to military assets, defense cooperation with allies and intelligence matters will not be publicly addressed.
01:23The government is now urging both political figures and media practitioners to act responsibly when raising issues that touch on
01:30national security.
01:31Aksha Galston, TV6 News.
01:33Aksha Galston, TV6 News.
01:36Aksha Galston, TV6 News.
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