Latest update April 6th, 2025 11:06 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Why malign the character of a hard working T&HD captain?

Apr 12, 2010 Letters

Dear Editor,

My attention has been brought to a recent news item in the SN, headlined, “Drunken crew sails Easter boat ride into troubled waters” (9 April 2010)). This piece of unsubstantiated hearsay maligns the character of the captain and his crew.

From what is written, the MV Makouria was on an excursion trip and returning from Bartica to Parika last Sunday (04-0410). In the so called story, two or three “passengers” and a “Parika resident” were quoted saying that the skipper was drunk and endangered the safety of those on board by meandering over the river and going too close to shore.

Tellingly, no scientific evidence is provided for the charges and not one name is mentioned. I have travelled on this trip over many years. Sometimes the vessel has to change course to stay within a channel and avoid underwater obstacles. Sometimes it goes quite close to shore.

I have had nothing but courtesies from the several captains over the years when, as a visitor from Barbados and a former merchant seaman, I am permitted up on the bridge (control area on vessel) for some old sailor’s talk. From what I know, these seamen are hardworking and decent.

There may be challenges here and there in the Transport and Harbours Department but the relevant ministry and government continues to address them, including recently placing an order for several new ferries.

A newspaper must be credible and get it facts right. It must not depend on hearsay from people, who appear not to understand maritime affairs, just to produce a sensationalist item to pander to the ill informed and compete with another crime news-oriented tabloid.

When will the authorities in Guyana have a proper functioning press council, with punitive measures, to stop this type of irresponsibility in the newspapers?

The reading public deserves better. This is why a country, experiencing ongoing progress and development, must always have a publicly owned media. It must have it to give a well rounded view.

It must have it to, hopefully, influence a sensationalist private media which sacrifices principles under market pressures.

John Reed

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| April, 4th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

 

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

‘One Guyana’ 3×3 Quest Basketball opens with local teams in mixed results

‘One Guyana’ 3×3 Quest Basketball opens with local teams in...

Apr 06, 2025

-Action concludes today Kaieteur Sports- In a historic occurrence for Guyana’s Basketball fraternity the ‘One Guyana’ 3×3 Quest opened yesterday, Saturday, morning at the Cliff...
Read More
GCA, East Coast surge to huge wins 

GCA, East Coast surge to huge wins 

Apr 06, 2025

GFF/Concacaf kick off two-day Match Commissioners Workshop to boost football operations in Guyana

GFF/Concacaf kick off two-day Match Commissioners...

Apr 06, 2025

Chase’s Academic outclass Bartica to move closer to 2025 title

Chase’s Academic outclass Bartica to move...

Apr 06, 2025

Three Miles Secondary make clean sweep of Jagan Windball cricket titles

Three Miles Secondary make clean sweep of Jagan...

Apr 06, 2025

National Chess champions off to Trinidad and Tobago

National Chess champions off to Trinidad and...

Apr 06, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]