STEPHON NICHOLAS
GML Tobago Correspondent
The vehicle of a Tobago reporter was targeted in an apparent arson attack early on Friday morning.
According to reports, the van of TV6 reporter Elizabeth Williams was set on fire around 2 am at her home in Lowlands.
Speaking to Guardian Media, Williams said her daughter, who lives with her, noticed the blaze and alerted her.
The pair responded with a bucket brigade and quickly extinguished the fire before it engulfed the vehicle.
A video posted on social media showed police officers at the scene inspecting the vehicle for evidence and assessing the damage.
Williams said CCTV footage showed an individual wearing blue jeans and a black jersey running from the scene. A getaway vehicle was also seen further down the street.
Asked about a possible motive, Williams said she believed the attack was in response to a story she had written.
She said she is accustomed to threats, but the incident has left her daughter shaken.
In a statement, the Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT) said it was relieved Williams and her daughter were safe and extended its support to the family.
It added, “We call on the TTPS to conduct a swift, thorough and transparent investigation to determine who was responsible and the motive behind the attack.”
While noting there was no evidence linking the attack to Williams’ work at this stage, MATT said the possibility could not be ruled out.
“Given the serious implications for press freedom should that prove to be the case, we urge the TTPS to treat this matter with the utmost seriousness and ensure that every investigative avenue is pursued.”
MATT said there are growing concerns about the environment in which journalists operate, adding that Trinidad and Tobago fell 13 places to 32nd in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders.
Police said investigations are ongoing.
