KINGSTON, Jamaica – Milton Samuda, attorney-at-law for Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson has denied “confiscating” or “seizing” tapes at an interview with the athletes conducted earlier this week.

According to Samuda, journalists participating in the interview were told up-front that the questions would be restricted. 

“That was the basis on which the journalists agreed to participate. I did not select the journalists who participated,” Samuda said in a statement Friday. 

“At no time were the tapes ‘seized’ or ‘confiscated and certainly no ‘equipment’ was,” he said.

“The fact that other questions were posed was the basis on which the journalists were asked for the tapes so as to remove those questions and the answers. 

“I made the request on the basis of the restoration of trust and the fulfillment of their agreement. The journalits acted honourably and complied with my request,” Samuda said, adding that his primary duty is to protect his clients’ interests. 

Samuda, who is also chairman of TVJ and a director of Radio Jamaica, said that at no time did he try to suggest to any media house what to publish or carry.

“I do believe in, and fully support freedom of the press but I also appreciate that that freedom is based on integrity and the honouring of one’s word. Freedom of the press should not be pursued at the expense of honour. I applaud the forthright treatment of the matter by TVJ News, clearly demonstarting the fierce independence of that newsroom,” the attorney said.

On Wednesday the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) chided Samuda for allegedly taking tapes from the journalists and editing the contents.

Speaking on the PAJ’s question of conflict of interest Sanuda said, “I do not tolerate conflict of interest, but it cannot be that those of us who hold several different positions in society are ipso facto prevented from acting decisively in any.”