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Press Association condemns gov’t attack on Enrico Woolford
Aug 04, 2009 News
The Guyana Press Association (GPA) yesterday strongly condemned the government for “its unwarranted and unprovoked attack” on veteran Guyanese journalist, Enrico Woolford, “for simply reporting the proceedings in a New Court.”
The GPA said that the government has put at risk the safety of Woolford, his staff, family and property.
Woolford is in New York reporting on the trial of Robert Simels, the former attorney of accused drug trafficker Shaheed Roger Khan. Simels is charged with obstruction of justice, witness tampering and possession of eavesdropping equipment.
In the trial, witnesses testified that the government was responsible for buying the sophisticated spying equipment used by Roger Khan.
The government, on Friday, in denying that it bought the equipment, said Woolford is “known for his anti-government journalism and reporting selectively on the ongoing trial in the USA.” The government named Woolford as the “sole source of the information in the local media frenzy.”
Woolford is the Editor-in-chief of the local nightly newscast,Capitol News and has also been reporting on the trial for this newspaper.
In a strongly worded statement, the Press Association said the government should cease being insensitive to robust criticism and evidence being led in the US court.
The GPA said that it finds the singling out of Mr. Woolford a gross attack on freedom of expression to the extent that it seeks to not only question the credibility of sworn testimony but also intimidate this well-respected journalist.
“The entire media corps holds the Government of Guyana responsible for the safety of Mr. Woolford, his staff, his company and his family and any property associated with him and them,” the GPA stated.
The Association urged the government, and in particular, caribbean Community (CARICOM) chairman, President Bharrat Jagdeo, to engage the parties named in the court documents in meaningful investigations that would lead to clarity, rather than “erroneously identify Mr. Woolford as the villain.”
“It seems that Mr. Jagdeo, who is charged with upholding the Laws of Guyana and the CARICOM Charter of Civil Society, has arrogated unto himself the right to impugn the character of other persons in society and at the same time enjoys immunity from prosecution,” the GPA stated.
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