Grenada premier awarded EC$100,000 libel damages

PM Keith Mitchell
(Photo: Montserrat Reporter)

Sunday, October 12, 2003

ST GEORGE'S, Grenada: Grenada's Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell, has been awarded damages of EC$100,000 from a libel suit, CMC news indicates.

The case was brought by the prime minister against Steve Fasihi, an Iranian national who was deported from Grenada a few months ago, George Worme, the editor of the Grenada Today newspaper and its publishers the Express newspaper in Trinidad, after the newspaper published a letter by Fasihi in which he made certain allegations about the prime minister and the New National Party government. The letter was published by Grenada Today in March 2001. 

In a judgment delivered by Master of the Supreme Court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, Mr. Bryan Cuttle, Prime Minister Mitchell was awarded EC$100,000 in general damages in relation to the false statements contained in the letter. 

This is the second time that the prime minister has won a case brought against the newspaper. He told CMC recently that it was not about terrorizing the press but all about sending a message to the media that they ought to be responsible in executing their duties. 

Meantime, CMC understands that a case brought against the Grenada Broadcasting Network by the Keith Mitchell administration about two years ago, which was also won by Dr. Mitchell and the other plaintiffs, is nearing settlement. 

The case was brought against GBN outspoken programme host Mr. Edward Frederick and another journalist, Mr. Stanley Charles.

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