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PM condemns attacks on journalists
Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, has condemned the recent attack on the President of the Guyana Press Association (GPA), Nazima Ragubir.
In a statement, which was published via the Department of Public Information, (DPI) Prime Minister Nagamootoo said that journalists should be allowed to conduct their duties without fear of intimidation.
“I have noted the attack on the GPA President and other journalists by the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, and elements of his party junta. Journalists must be allowed to practice their profession without fear or harassment.”
“Calling the GPA President ‘stupid’ is not only gender persecution but an attack on journalism and press freedom. This type of intolerance has led invariably to the assassination of journalists and economic sanctions against media houses, and should not be tolerated in Guyana,” the Prime Minister pointed out.
“That was the period when journalists were labelled as vultures and carrions; when a journalist was assassinated and another jailed for five years after being tried for treason.
“Then an out-spoken media critic was doused with fresh faeces at a time when no one thought that a journalist could be dismembered, (Saudi Arabia‘s) Jamal Khashoggi,” Prime Minister wrote.
Prime Minister Nagamootoo, who was the former Vice-President of the International Organisation of Journalists (IOJ) and a founder of the now-defunct Union of Guyanese Journalists, offered his solidarity to the GPA President and her colleagues.
He said, too, that the Coalition Government will not allow the intemperate attacks to muzzle journalists.
Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo
The GPA, on Monday, issued a statement condemning the continued attacks on media professionals by Jagdeo.
The association said that it views the continued attacks as encouraging threats to the lives and livelihoods of media professionals.
GPA said that it has been documenting the attacks made by Jagdeo over the last few months. These are consistent with attacks he made in the past as a sitting Head of State.
These were and are not limited to referring to journalists as “Carrion crows and vultures” and as “opposition media” and singling out media houses.
GPA noted that over the months, Jagdeo has referred to private media outlets as “fake news”, “biased news”, or “government aligned news”. He is on record saying that he will call on his supporters to boycott one newscast and its parent company.
He has singled out the privately owned Kaieteur News, state owned Chronicle and former GPA President Gordon Moseley with accusations of being “government aligned”.
At a recent press conference, Jagdeo faced questions on his Pradoville mansion. At least three members of the media posed questions to him on this matter.
He became irritated. He eventually lashed out at Raghubir as she questioned him.
Jagdeo was asked whether the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) offered him to settle in having him pay the state the difference as SARA believes that he was given the Ogle land at a price below market value.
Jagdeo responded, “I had preempted that by saying even if they offer me to pay one cent more to settle it (he would refuse). They never did (asked). I preempted that.”
This is when it became most uncomfortable for the former president.
Raghubir asked, “On what basis were you going to reject it? “
He responded, “That is my position.”
Raghubir: “I just wanted to clarify on what basis you rejected the payment?”
Jagdeo: “Because I rejected it. I do not have no basis. What kind of stupid question is that?”
Raghubir: “That is not a stupid question, it is a logical question. You made a statement and I am asking you to clarify.”
Jagdeo: “I said it is political; you have to use deductive reasoning, if it is a political thing. I get impatient with silly questions.”
Raghubir interrupted: “I get impatient with stupid statements.”
Jagdeo continued: “If it is a political matter, it’s an adventure. Why would I waste my time behind an adventure which is a political matter? That is the reason I rejected it.”
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