Guyana Chronicle sacks GM, Editor in management shakeup

Dec 03, 2015 News

The state-owned Guyana Chronicle yesterday announced that it has sacked its General Manager, Michael Gordon, and Editor, Mark Ramotar, as part of the moves to rebrand the newspaper.

Sacked:
GM Michael Gordon

According to a statement from the Board of Directors of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited, publisher of the Guyana Chronicle and Sunday Chronicle, at a meeting on Tuesday, the Board took a unanimous decision to discontinue the services of the two. “Both are with immediate effect.
“The Board of Directors has taken these two decisions with a view to strengthening both the administrative leadership and management and the editorial department as the newspaper seeks to rebrand and reposition itself as a credible national newspaper.”
Ramotar’s wife, Moshamie Ramotar, will act as the General Manager for three months until a replacement has been found.
Mark Ramotar was the former Editor-in-Chief who was demoted earlier this year. He has been criticized heavily for the newspaper’s downward spiral in recent years.
The statement said that GNNL and the Chronicle newspaper have been suffering from weak management with circulation numbers steadily declining.
“The Board of Directors is of the view that fresh and competent leadership is needed administratively and new editorial direction and support are required. The Board of Directors thanks Mr. Gordon and Mr. Ramotar for their service to GNNL and wishes them both the best in their future endeavors.”
Godfrey Wray will serve as acting editor in support of Nigel Williams, current Editor-in-Chief and Neil Marks, the Sunday Editor.

Sacked: Editor,
Mark Ramotar

Another press statement from GNNL, in confirming that Moshamie Ramotar has been appointed Acting General Manager for the period of three months, explained that the company will immediately commence the search to find a suitable person to fill the vacancy.
“The post will be publicly advertised and an appointment made following the successful completion of the process. The Board of Directors thanks Mr. Gordon for his service to GNNL and wishes him the best in his future endeavours. The Board further expresses its confidence in Mrs Ramotar in taking up the mantle of administrative leadership during this period of transition. Mrs Ramotar is the substantive Finance Director of GNNL.”
There have been criticisms by the current David Granger coalition Government, when it was in the Opposition, about the running of the state media. Both the Guyana Chronicle and the National Communications Network were named.
In May, following early General Elections, the country saw a new Government in place under President Granger.