(Port of Spain) Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has committed her government to reviewing criminal defamation laws following representation from the International Press institute (IPI).

She made the revelation Tuesday night at the closing ceremony of the IPI’s 61^st World Congress in Port of Spain where the body had earlier in the day issued a declaration calling on Caribbean governments to abolish insult and defamation laws.

The prime minister noted that an IPI delegation had met with her Attorney General during the Congress on the issue which the body has been pursuing worldwide.

“[We will] review our laws to bring defamation laws in line with international best practices,” she announced to applause.

At the same time Persad-Bissessar cautioned the media to remain cognisant of their responsibilities and added that her government would be ensuring that the rights of all citizens are upheld.

Reacting to the prime minister’s announcement afterwards President of the Association of Caribbean MediaWorkers (ACM) Wesley Gibbings said they considered it “very good news” given the T&T’s government’s quick response but he was cautious in his optimism.

“The actual results are yet to be seen because we know that in the countries of the Caribbean there are very packed parliamentary agendas so what I think would be the test of the pudding would be how this issue is prioritises on the legislative agenda.”

He added that the ACM, an IPI affiliate, will be closely monitoring the progress of the undertaking given by Persad-Bissessar and will be lending whatever support that may be needed.

On the likelihood of the other countries following the lead of Trinidad and Jamaica on criminal defamation Gibbings said it will depend on the advocacy of the individual press associations. The Jamaican government has already given a commitment to review criminal defamation laws and the Congress heard that there was optimism that they could be off the books by year end.

“Hopefully all national associations will feel motivated by this progress that has been made over the last few weeks because I consider the activity in Barbados to be quite positive as well. We met with the Prime Minister of Barbados and we met with the Attorney General and other persons in positions of influence who all appeared to be disposed to the abolition of criminal defamation,” Gibbings said.

He noted that the reform of the defamation laws had been a campaign promise of the Barbadian ruling party during the last general elections held in 2008.

“So there’s a strong role for the national associations throughout the region, from Belize come down to Guyana to ensure that this concept is promoted and to point the way. If Trinidad or Jamaica decides to move on this then you would have a very good case study to refer to your respective governments,” Gibbings concluded.

The “Declaration of Port of Spain” issued earlier in the day called on Caribbean governments to abolish insult laws and criminal defamation legislation in the region as a matter of urgency and to review all other laws that restrict media freedom.