THINGS ARE GETTING OUT OF HAND!

Apr 12, 2016 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

The media is not a sacred cow. The media is liable to be criticized but only for its opinions, not for reporting the facts and not for bringing to the public interest matters of public concern.
People can write letters disagreeing with an editorial or the views of the columnists. People do this all the time. This is how people protest against the media. They protest with their pens not with pickets.
It is, however, unusual, to find protestors outside of the office of the media critical of news items that are being reported in the media. A small group of about twenty persons turned up at the office of this newspaper with their pickets at the ready. It was the same group which had turned up in West Demerara at an event at which Ministers of the government, including embattled Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, was present. What was their reason for protesting outside of the office of Kaieteur News?
Well they were asked this question and could not give an answer. They did not know why they were protesting against the Kaieteur News. They were obviously sent to protest against this newspaper. The placards said more than they did.
The signs were in support of the embattled Minster of State. This seems to be the new tactic being used whenever government Ministers are being criticized. The new tactic is that suddenly a group appears in support of the person who is being criticized. Protests are being met by more protests.
Instead of those persons mounting counter-protests they could avoid all that trouble by simply asking the persons who they are protesting in favor of to stop dodging the media and instead to face the public and address frontally the criticisms being made against them.
They also need to explain why Kaieteur News singled out for protest action? Why was Stabroek News not picketed? The Stabroek News has run some damning editorials against the handling of the recent controversy involving the Minister of State. But Stabroek News is not being picketed. Kaieteur News is the one being picketed.
This is a most dangerous development in Guyana. The picketing of a media house by supporters of a government Minister constitutes an attack on the media. The media is being attacked for simply doing its job: that of reporting that certain things are happening in the country and the keeping the public abreast. The media is being attacked because some columnists have been critical of the Minister. What is wrong with that?
This is most disturbing development in the media in Guyana. It can threaten the freedom of journalists. They may become intimidated by protests outside of their media houses and therefore be fearful of reporting on matters that are critical of the government.
This should not be happening. Things are getting out of hand. Media workers should not be intimidated. They should continue to do their work fearlessly because they are providing service to the public who depend on media houses to let them know what is going on.
Things are getting out of hand in Guyana. The media should not be the subject of any picketing exercise for having reporting on the controversy involving the Minister of State.
This is an attempt to silence Kaieteur News but this newspaper has gone through worse and will not be silenced.
Intimidating tactics will not work against Kaieteur News. This newspaper has a job to do and will do its job like it did during the rule of the PPP.
The APNU+AFC administration has replaced the PPPC in office but from the way things are going in the government, you could be mistaken into believing that it still the PPP that is in power.

Latest News

THINGS ARE GETTING OUT OF HAND!

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| February, 7th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

SBM Offshore Guyana & VFMA launch Girls in Football Development...

Imlach and Nandu fifties pilot Harpy Eagles to...

A look at Government’s boldest investment in...

Barker wins big, Khalil and Simpson inch closer...

Trophy Stall on board Republic Cup three-day...

13-year old benefits from Project “Cricket Gear...

Features/Columnists

You cannot borrow your way to prosperity

OAS Secretary General Election and renewed OAS Consensus

Jagdeo on land, Hughes

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

THINGS ARE GETTING OUT OF HAND!

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| February, 7th, 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 […]