This Jagdeo regime and the Burnham dictatorship have a lot in common

Jun 03, 2011 Letters

Dear Editor,
The attempt to try and close down CNS Channel 6 television, again, will confirm the charges that this country is run by a dictator – worst than Forbes Burnham.
I believe that if this action is taken, it will seal the faith of the Bharrat Jagdeo regime, as the worst administration this country has ever had. I hope that President Jagdeo, who is the Minister responsible for granting broadcasting licences, will have better sense and will allow the courts in this country to act independently. I must confess that High Court judge, Mr. James Bovell-Drakes, is among the best Judges in our country.
I want to remind President Jagdeo that he was a small boy when I was a journalist at the PPP – Mirror newspaper and he does not know how we suffered under the Burnham dictatorship to produce a newspaper for the Guyanese people. He needs a history lesson of repression and dictatorial rule and its consequences.
We are either a democracy – that upholds our constitution and the rule of law or we are a de facto one party state.
We cannot be both. I and hundreds of thousands of Guyanese in Guyana and friends abroad fought openly for the restoration of democracy and free and fair election and we are not going to allow a repeat of the PNC dictatorship.
For the purposes of educating our young readers, the Burnham regime used the courts to place heavy fines on the Mirror and the Catholic Standard publications – in particular.
To understand the evolution of a free press and media freedom in Guyana one should go to the newspaper archives in the Public Free Library and find the records and make comparisons between this Jagdeo regime and the Burnham dictatorship.
Strangely, they will find a lot of things in common, not only on free speech and press freedom, but in every area of life in our country. I suggest that the SN set up a competition on the topic, “History of Press and Media freedom in Guyana” and offer a price or an award.
The message must go out to this Jagdeo regime that we are not going to sit on our hands and allow the closure of any of the media houses in this country.
Already, contacts have been made to international media houses and Guyanese living abroad, who will mount a vigorous and sustained campaign for the right to broadcast, print and publish views and opinion that are contrary to this regime and its supporters.
The international community is conscious of the flagrant violation of basic rights, freedom of expression and the collective fear experienced by our people.
This coming election will give all Guyanese the opportunity to rectify – nearly two decades of misrule in our country.
Jinnah Rahman

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This Jagdeo regime and the Burnham dictatorship have a lot in common

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