The Media Association of Trini­dad and Tobago (MATT) has backed Director of Public Prose­cutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard’s warning against the publication of material that could prejudice cri­minal proceedings arising from the police-involved killing of Joshua Samaroo and the serious injury of Kaia Sealy.

In a statement yesterday, MATT said it recognised the DPP’s constitutional responsibility to protect the integrity of criminal proceedings and did not view his intervention as an attempt to intimidate journalists or restrict legitimate reporting.

The association’s response came one day after Gaspard cautioned the public and media against publishing material that could compromise the right to a fair trial for both the State and individuals charged in connection with the matter.