Chamber wants Panday-Manning debate

FACE-TO-FACE debates between Prime Minister Patrick Manning and UNC leader Basdeo Panday may take place on national television during the October 7 general election campaign.

An offer for such debates has been made by the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce following a meeting with representatives of six political parties on August 30.

President of the Chamber David O’ Brien along with representatives from the Advertising Agencies Association of Trinidad and Tobago and the Trinidad and Tobago Publishers and Broadcasters Association also attended the one-hour meeting.

A statement from the Chamber said the parties have agreed to submit their suggestions on the format and other logistics by today.

And O’Brien called on the political parties to “demonstrate their responsibility to the country by committing to adhering to the existing advertising standards in the country”.

Chairman of the Chamber’s Media Sector Committee, Bernard Pantin, said that during the last two general election campaigns there were violations to the existing advertising regulations and the meeting was intended to prevent such recurrence in next month’s election.