VERY PRESUMPTUOUS!

May 05, 2010 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

A very presumptuous letter was sent to this newspaper concerning the general coverage given by the media of the recent international award received by the President of Guyana.
While it was acknowledged that this newspaper did cover the decoration, it was suggested that we did not give the recognition that was due and that the coverage of the welcome at the airport was restricted.
The writer was in fact presumptuous in dictating how this newspaper ought to have covered the award. He would be better advised to direct his suggestions to the Guyana Chronicle and to that unmentionable newspaper which did in fact provide extensive coverage of the grand welcome that the President received at the airport. It was not as if the welcome was not covered by the media. It was, so there was hardly any need to insist on more pronounced coverage of the event and the award itself.
This newspaper does not need to be told how to do its work. And we certainly do not need a lecture from someone who is more interested in boosting the flagging credibility of the government. We covered the award. It is a major award and was given due recognition by this newspaper. It was a matter of public importance and it was covered.
We are not going to exaggerate the importance of the award. It is not the Nobel Prize. We are not going to hype the reports so as to enhance the credibility of anyone. We are not living in North Korea where billboards constantly sing the praises of the leaders of the nation and the revolution that has now disintegrated.
The government is however free to do as it pleases. It is free to mount its billboards and have its supporters sponsor advertisements in the newspapers praising the award.
Unfortunately, whenever you see billboards having to be erected and a demand for greater recognition to be given, you can be sure that there is a serious credibility crisis involved.
The billboards and all the ads praising the award are not going to electrify the nation. The public is not going to get excited by any United Nations Environmental award. They will accept that the President has received some recognition but it will not create the sort of waves as when Chanderpaul or Sarwan make centuries in an international match.
The excitement has already waned. The celebrations over the award given to the President are going, therefore, to be brief. The citizens are in no mood for public adulation. They are more concerned about what is taking place within the administration and the many charges of corruption, charges which are now beginning to find their way into international reports.
The Kaieteur News knows that the licks are going to come down because of its reporting on the allegations of corruption. In fact it knew long before now pressure would have been brought to bear on this newspaper because of what it was reporting. It is not surprised by what is happening. In fact, it was prepared for the victimization and vindictiveness that has come its way.
Instead of worrying about Kaieteur News, the authorities should direct their energies towards stemming the widespread corruption in public life.
It needs to put a brake on the stealing that is taking place within the administration, as well as to the free-handed manner in which the resources of the State are finding its way into the pockets of friends of the government.
If the administration continues in this vein, Guyana may have to be renamed since it may end up becoming the private kingdom of a few individuals.
There is a need to slow down. This country is going to fall apart unless serious action is taken to tighten up on the mal-administration that is presently taking place and which is allowing certain persons to benefit disproportionately. It needs to put a brake on the “thieving” that is taking place in the country.
It needs to do this rather than trying to deflect from the issue of corruption. We are having too many distractions in this country. What we need is to be able to focus on pulling the chassis of the nation from rolling down the precipice of doom, for unless corruption is checked, the economy will eventually begin to feel the effects of the malfeasance and go into reverse gear.
Then there will be a greater credibility crisis and even more billboards will have to be erected.

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