Ghost writers abound all around the political divide

Jul 27, 2011 Letters

Dear Editor,
This is in reference to Mr. Mike Persaud’s letter (KN Jul 25) on the use of fictitious names (ghost writers) to defend the government. Yes, it appears there are letter writers using different names. However, in all fairness, the government or the PPP does not have a monopoly on letter writing using fictitious names.
The other two parties, PNC and AFC, also have their defenders and promoters using fictitious names. We should not forget that fictitious names were used to malign and derogate the late Winston Murray as well as others who sought the leadership of the PNC.
Fictitious names are being used regularly to attack Jagdeo, the PPP and each other and their defenders respond in kind. The same holds true for promoters of the other parties. Some of us, like Persaud, Vishnu Bisram, Ravi Dev, Eusi Kwayana, Annan Boodram, David Hinds, etc. are also victims of abuse from fictitious names.
I do not have a problem with people writing under pseudonyms or fictitious names. I have a problem with their scurrilous attacks against people and their lies and distortions. Supporters of all three parties are guilty of those breaches. These writers should exercise self restraint and desist from attacking people without supporting evidence or engaging in name calling.
Guyana has absolute freedom of the press. People should not be afraid to write under their real name. I recall during the 1970s and 1980s, people were afraid tosay anything against the dictatorship, fearing serious consequences.
During the dictatorship, myself and friends Baytoram Ramharack, Vassan Ramracha, and Ravi Dev were advised not to pen anything under our names against the government because we were targeted. We were warned that that our photos were on file at Timehri Airport and at the Guyana Consulate in NY and serious consequences would result from our activist struggle to end the dictatorship.
We heeded some of the warning but courageously penned many a literature under our by lines for handouts in our struggle against the dictatorship.
Since the establishment of the free press in 1987, we began penning anti-dictatorship articles under our names in SN and in the foreign media as well as our own publications, some edited by Dr. Ramharack and some by me.
Long gone are those days or fear of reprisals. We no longer live under a dictatorship. People should have no fear to speak their mind against the government and to also criticize and or praise the opposition parties or the ruling party.
I am not aware of people losing their jobs exclusively because of what they penned. My friend, Freddie Kissoon, has engaged in some of the worst attacks against Jagdeo and the PPP. He remains employed at UG.
It is almost impossible to determine who are the fictitious letter writers and has Persaud noted that it appears there are many? Like him, I condemn those who attack others under cover.
But at the same time, I cannot support any accusation against Dr. Prem Misir as being an architect of a government organized stable of fictitious letter writers without irrefutable evidence.
Dr. Misir is an accomplished academic of high standing who, I believe, will not reduce himself to such a petty propaganda act.
Vishnu Bisram

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