This is the worst suppression of information that I have witnessed since Guyana became independent

Jun 09, 2011 Letters

---

DEAR EDITOR,
Apart from the letters to the Editors of the two independent dailies, Kaieteur News and Stabroek News, one would be hard-pressed to know that Guyanese are scheduled to go to the polls before December 31st this year.
This media blackout by the two major independents is troubling since the government-controlled Chronicle is in full campaign mode, lambasting and skewering the opposition on one hand, and singing the praises of the PPP/C administration on the other.
Opposition supporters, many of whom depend on the Stabroek News and the Kaieteur News for a more balanced version of the news, are left uninformed of their candidates’ travels, major addresses and special events, because the editorial staff, or someone higher up, feels that it is not “newsworthy.”
I make this accusation because I am aware that during Brig. (rtd) David Granger’s recent trip to North America, news releases were sent twice to both Kaieteur News and Stabroek News detailing his travels, excerpts from speeches made, and his interactions with Guyanese groups in the Diaspora. Both papers failed to carry even edited versions of what was sent.
This is the worst suppression of information that I have witnessed since Guyana became independent forty-five years ago. During the then PNC’s time in government, the opposition had access to the Mirror, Day Clean, The Catholic Standard, and opposition programmes that were aired on the government networks; (I remember listening to WPA programming on GBS). There was diversification in the ownership of the media houses, and even though today it would be easy to play the race card, I will refrain from doing so.
In a democracy, freedom of the press is a vital pillar on which rests the citizens right to information. Freedom of information is democracy’s cornerstone, a fundamental human right, defined as a right to seek, receive and impart information. There can be no enjoyment of the right to freedom of expression if people do not have access to information.
Today in Guyana, the government denies that right through its iron-fisted control of the state-owned media, even though it is duty bound to facilitate public access to information. Article 19 of the UN Universal declaration of human rights, states that everyone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference, everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression, this includes freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kind, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of choice.
In our country, so called public information is collected using public funds (taxpayer dollars) by GINA/ Chronicle etc, but sadly these services are misused to promote the PPP government and party propaganda, instead of public information. Stabroek News and Kaieteur News, by default, are the last bastion of those who seek the truth, those of us seeking information that is not tainted by political editorial influence; but there are challenges here also.
If there is a media blackout of the main opposition parties that will contest the upcoming elections, how can the electorate be empowered to make an informed decision at the polls? Freedom of information is a vital tool to fight corruption and poor governance, both of which thrive in an uninformed society. Freedom of information promotes public participation in elections; democracy is further enhanced when the public form their opinions on the basis of facts and evidence rather than empty promises and meaningless political slogans.
I challenge your establishments because GINA and the Chronicle are a lost cause, and even though there are rumours circulating that the owners of the Kaieteur News and Stabroek News have political and/or family relationships which make them sympathetic to the ruling party, I ask that you rise above it all and put the public’s right to know first.
I would like for the powers that be, the movers and shakers at both establishments to be aware of what is being said quietly in some quarters. People in the opposition camps are whispering. Some are saying the news blackout is driven by the owners of the media houses. This is not good for your newspapers, and ultimately will not be good for the country (perception/reality).
There is, however, still time for the independents to attempt to level the playing field. Let serious journalists like Adam Harris and Anand Persaud interview the Candidates; let us have investigational journalists examine their backgrounds and give us truthful reports on their lives and careers. Report to us what is happening or not happening on the various campaign trails.
I know politics is not sexy (unless there is scandal), but the public has a right to know. One biographic piece on the candidates is not enough; most Guyanese don’t have access to the internet and still depend on print media for their information. I urge you to start shedding some light on this issue, because the darkness has caused many to start having some real dark thoughts.
Mark Archer

---

---