APNU’s ‘threat’ regarding media coverage has security implications - GINA

APNU’s ‘threat’ regarding media coverage has security implications – GINA

Mar 09, 2014 News

The Government Information Agency (GINA) has taken umbrage to some of the comments expressed by the Leader of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Brig. David Granger during a recent press conference where he spoke to the need for the provision of balanced coverage by state owned media entities.
In a public missive yesterday, GINA expressed that, “Mr. Granger, boasted with respect to budgetary allocations for GINA and the National Communications Network (NCN), that “…if they don’t hear, they will feel…”
“GINA interprets this comment by Mr. Granger as a threat to its existence and wellbeing of its staff. More so, the Agency believes that such a comment may not be devoid of security implications for its employees and is in the process of registering its concern with the related authority.”
“There is no ambiguity in their stringent efforts to use their combined Parliamentary majority to close the Agency through the deprivation of financial resources…This can only be deemed as wanton disregard for the employees’ welfare and their right to work at a place of their choice and an absolute contradiction of Mr. Granger’s and the Opposition’s boast of working to create jobs for Guyanese.”
However, during the press conference on Friday last, the Opposition Leader categorically stressed towards the end of his presentation that he should not be quoted as saying that if the entities do not approve their request for prime time to express their views then, “they would feel.”
Granger was responding to a question asked of him by media operatives as to whether his coalition has made any recent attempts to speak with NCN on providing air time to voice their position on national issues.
Brig. Granger said, “I have been assured that the Head of the Communications Department of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition is in touch with NCN. As you know, in 2012 when the tenth Parliament was in session, we had been engaging NCN and the Government Information Agency (GINA) to get a more balanced coverage. It is a matter that was brought to the attention of the Speaker of the National Assembly (Mr. Raphael Trotman).”
The Opposition employed its legislative power to disapprove of funds for the two government-owned agencies after its efforts failed.
Despite this course of action, the Finance Minister went ahead and spent an unapproved sum of money for both agencies. The matter is being dealt with by the Committee of Privileges
Mr. Mark Archer, who serves as the Head of APNU’s Communication Department emailed Mr. Michael Gordon, Chief Executive Officer (ag.) of NCN over fair coverage on Friday last.
In the letter addressed to Gordon, Archer said, “Over the last few months the National Communications Network (NCN) has consistently devoted an inordinate amount of prime time coverage to the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic Administration’s propaganda on the Anti-Money Laundering and the Countering of the Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill. In contrast, the parliamentary majority, A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change, have not been afforded the equal opportunity to share their points-of-view with the nation on this very important piece of legislation, through NCN.”
Archer, a published writer, then referred to the PPP/C press conference on Tuesday last which was aired for more than an hour on the NCN Channel.
During the conference the Opposition was intensely lambasted and labeled with names such as “anti- national” and “anti- development.”
Archer said that the Network was not established to be, “the propaganda arm of the incumbent PPP/C Administration but, instead, to provide, in an even-handed manner, opportunities for the Guyanese people to hear all sides on important national issues.”
He requested that the coalition be granted one hour of prime time on March 12 for a live Opposition press conference on the Anti-Money Laundering and the Countering of the Financing of Terrorism Bill.

Latest News

APNU’s ‘threat’ regarding media coverage has security implications – GINA

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| April, 11th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

FL Sport provides financial boost to Guyana U-15 quartet

Guyanese golfers Hussain, Arjune to attend 2025...

Quarterfinal showdowns set in Milo/Massy U18...

Lusignan Golf Club: A Premier Destination for...

Paul misses century as Red Force trail by 122

National 9-Ball Pool championship cues off today

Features/Columnists

Mashing an ants’ nest

The U.S. “Joining” the Commonwealth: an unreasonable expectation

Relax, fellow Guyanese

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

APNU’s ‘threat’ regarding media coverage has security implications – GINA

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| April, 11th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]