Newly elected President Garvin Richards says the DMCA will not be bullied by any political party or person

​President of the new Dominica Media & Communications Association (DMCA), Garvin Richards says the organization will not be bullied by any political party and has appealed to members to work together to enhance media practice in Dominica. DMCA held its first Annual General Meeting on Saturday, February 3, 2018, where the organization’s the name of was changed from interim ‘Dominica Press Corps.’ Richards, who was formerly interim president, was voted in as DCMA President.
 
The then Dominica Press Corps was criticized on social media as being heavily affiliated to the ruling Dominica Labour Party; but addressing the AGM, Richards told members that they have a code of ethics to uphold, and that the DCMA will not sit by silently on serious matters and will not be bullied by any political party. He said, “We must remember we in the media have a code of ethics that we must uphold, we must report the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help us God. We must feel free to operate in an environment free from political and corporate inference, we must not turn a blind eye to the injustices in society, for fear of stepping on someone’s toes.”
 
He stated that it is not the intent of the DCMA to be a political party or a trade union. He added, “but we will not sit by silently on serious matters affecting the country; and neither will be bullied by any political party, red green blue or yellow, to give inputs on issues”. Richards said the role of the DCMA is to protect the freedom of the press, to protect its members and to ensure that the public get correct and factual news.
 
Richards said, “My fellow members, training is a key area of focus. Training in our field is lacking, and we can only meet the needs of the public if we are able to improve on our skills. Training is top on our agenda, and we are going to source opportunities locally, regionally and internationally.”
 
He stated that the process has already begun with the DCMA sending three members to St Lucia to attend a regional workshop. A meeting was held with the ambassador of Qatar, and discussions are ongoing for possible opportunities for a visit to a Middle Eastern country for training opportunities. Richards added that the DCMA has 69 members and was granted observer status at the ACM General Assembly in March in Barbados.