Govt. says Press Freedom report deeply flawed

Apr 29, 2017 News

– suspects information that pre-dated 2015 was used

The Government of Guyana is contending that the recent World Press Freedom Index, which shows that Guyana has slipped three places down, is deeply flawed. The administration said that it is concerned about the report which was compiled by the Reporters without Borders (RWD).
The report says that Guyana currently ranks 60 out of 180 countries. Last year, the state ranked 57. The commentary on Guyana from the RWB stated, “Although Guyana’s constitution guarantees free speech and the right to information, officials often use its defamation laws, which provide for fines and up to two years in jail, to silence opposition journalists.
The members of the media regulatory authority are appointed directly by the president.
“This restricts the freedom of certain media outlets, which are denied licences. Journalists are subjected to harassment that takes the form of prosecutions, suspensions and intimidation,” the report stated.
A release from the Department of Public Information (DPI) yesterday, said that the Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo – who has portfolio responsibility for information – is unaware that RWD has conducted any survey or inquiry into press freedom in Guyana, and questions whether its findings were based on credible sources.
“The Government of Guyana is not aware of a single instance of any journalist being subjected to harassment or prosecution in Guyana since May 2015 when the Coalition Government assumed office.
The Government of Guyana suspects that the Reporters without Borders write up on Guyana is based on old information which pre-dates 2015. Guyana has since distanced itself from the crude subversion of the press, and its conversion into partisan political propaganda outlets under the previous government.”
The release made reference to two cases of ‘unjust’ suspension of state media employees which were robustly condemned by senior officials of the Government of Guyana. These were addressed to the satisfaction of the affected employees, the statement read.
“The media in Guyana has never had greater latitude and freedom to operate without interference from government intrusion, control or direction than it presently does.
The Government of Guyana is pleased to have recently approved the appointment of an independent and professional Board of Directors of the National Communications Network (NCN) and is currently reviewing the Board of Directors of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited with a view to reconstituting that board as well.”
The DPI said that the Government is unaware of any intimidation of media workers and calls on Reporters without Borders to update its country information with “current and relevant information which reflects the reality in Guyana, and not allow itself to be compromised by fake news and false reports.”

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