Cox glad court said Devant is no journalist

COMMUNICATIONS Minister Donna Cox said she was glad to get a court ruling in the challenge by activist Devant Maharaj to his exclusion from participation in the virtual news conference held daily by the Ministry of Health.

Seeking a judicial review of Cox denying him access to the briefings, Maharaj has claimed to be a victim of unequal treatment relative to blogger Rhoda Bharath who also was not from a traditional media house.

On Wednesday in the High Court, Justice Kevin Ramcharan denied Maharaj's claim by saying while Maharaj has a large online following he was at best "a journalist of convenience" who on his Facebook page has not described himself as a journalist but a politician. The judge said there was no evidence of Maharaj's claim to own a reputable news agency named D News Network, saying it existed only in Maharaj's mind. The judge said in comparison while Bharath was a harsh critic of the Opposition, she could be described as an online journalist.

Cox, in reply to Newsday asking for her reaction to the ruling, said, "I'd just like to say I'm happy it has concluded."

Maharaj, represented by former attorney general Anand Ramlogan, has said he will appeal the ruling in pursuit of his constitutional rights.