Probe needed to determine whether ads placement is used to enforce editorial policies – press body

May 03, 2012 News

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-UNESCO says 62 journalists killed last year

World Press Freedom Day was observed yesterday but Guyana may not have too much to celebrate in the

area of media workers having unhindered access to information.
According to the Guyana Press Association (GPA), the reluctance by Government to open the airwaves over the years has resulted in the stifling of creative talent and has hampered if not retarded the free and unfettered access to information.
Speaker of the House, Raphael Trotman, in his message on World Press Freedom Day, also noted that the occasion comes at a time when the media in Guyana is in “sharp focus” to decide whose interest it serves. He called on reporters, journalists, media managers and all operatives to be cognizant of their responsibility.
In its statement yesterday, GPA said that it recognizes that Guyana is no different from the rest of the world in its quest for the need for information and for the free flow of information.
“In this country, there are still challenges to the free and unfettered distribution of information by governmental policy that has prohibited the operation of any other radio stations other than those owned and controlled by the government.
GPA urged the Guyana Government to break the monopoly that it is enjoying over the electromagnetic spectrum, particularly with regard to the granting of radio station licences.
It called for the granting of licences that will allow for other television stations.
“We believe that a National Broadcasting Authority must be established as soon as possible to ensure that information can be

disseminated by a variety of sources throughout the country. We endorse the position that universal access to information must be pursued especially in rural, remote and insular areas.”
GPA said that it finds it interesting that in this age of social media, texting and tweeting, Guyana is still holding out that its radio frequencies cannot be allocated to anyone else other than those who “control the corridors of power.”
“Guyana also needs to examine whether economic leverage particularly in the withdrawal or placement of advertising was used to enforce editorial positions on media houses.”
The association also believed that journalists operating within Guyana have been able to conduct themselves with dignity and in an environment that is for the most part, safe.
“Citizens must not be deprived of their right to be able to understand their society, for which an independent press–including both state-run and privately-owned media–remains crucial.”
And Trotman who has been engaging the press workers, said that new tools of communication have changed the way the media is operating.
“Through social media and ICT, media freedom has amplified these voices to the point where their calls for social transformation and positive political change have become the force to be reckoned with.”
In Guyana, World Press Freedom Day 2012 comes at a time when the media here is in sharp focus as it is being called on to decide whose interest it serves, Trotman said.
“Our reporters, journalists, media managers and all media operatives must be cognizant of their responsibility to provide society with the information that would empower individuals to take control of their destinies.”
In this context, the local media has a responsibility to provide society with fair and objective coverage of the facts.
“The media must therefore provide accurate information that reflects the issues and concerns from various groups who make up our Guyanese society. The onus is then on the individual to receive this information and form their own thoughts and opinions.”
The Speaker urged all media operating in the public domain to uphold their responsibility in the best interest of all the people.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in a joint message by UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon and UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova, disclosed that this year’s theme is New Voices: Media Freedom Helping to Transform Societies.

“Media freedom also faces severe pressures across the world. Last year, UNESCO condemned the killing of 62 journalists who died as a result of their work. These journalists must not be forgotten and these crimes should not remain unpunished.”
The statement noted that as media moves online, more online journalists, including bloggers, are being harassed, attacked, and killed for their work. They must receive the same protection as traditional media workers.
“World Press Freedom Day is our opportunity to raise the flag in the fight to advance media freedom. We call on states, professional media and non-governmental organisations everywhere to join forces with the United Nations to promote online and offline freedom of expression in accordance with internationally accepted principles. This is a pillar of individual rights, a foundation for healthy societies and a force for social transformation.

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