ERC monitoring media outlets for racial incitement -appeals for all to be responsible

Jul 12, 2019 News

Media outlets as well as social media posts are being closely monitored by the Ethnic Relations Commission [ERC] for any form of racial incitement.
In a statement, the body made it pellucid that “it continues to monitor the outputs of the Guyanese media (television, radio, newspaper, online news entities) and comments posted by those accessing social media.
This move, according to the ERC, is in keeping with its constitutional mandate as enshrined in Article 212(D) of the constitution and more particularly to discourage persons and institutions from heightening tensions through incitement and from indulging in, advocating or promoting discrimination or discriminatory practices on the ground of ethnicity.
“Monitoring mechanisms, which have been intensified over the past few months in keeping with demands resulting from the ongoing political developments, have captured various instances, through publishing, facilitated and self-perpetuated, that are deemed counterproductive to the process of promoting harmony and good relations across Guyana,” the ERC said.
It was further revealed that the Commission is in the process of engaging those responsible as it works assiduously to educate and discourage such practices. Even as it aims to complete such activities, the ERC has commended those entities which it said have “demonstrate[d] a profound sense of responsibility in reporting and the many Guyanese who, through social media, [brought] attention and call upon their fellow countrymen and women to desist from posting inciting and disparaging comments.”
To this end, the Commission has reminded that under, “139 D (1) of the Representation of the People’s Act that, any person who makes or publishes or causes to be made or published any statement; or takes any action, which results or can result in racial or ethnic violence or hatred among the people shall be liable on conviction on indictment to a fine of one hundred thousand dollars together with imprisonment for two years.”
It also pointed to the fact that in, “139 D (2) Every person convicted of an offence under subsection (1) shall, in addition to any punishment under the said subsection, be incapable, during the period of five years from the date of the conviction, of being a member of the National Assembly or being a member of any local democratic organ or the holder of any constitutional or statutory office.”
The ERC is therefore urging members of the public to become knowledgeable on the related ordinance which it believes would lead to restraint within the context noted. It was further revealed that shortly related public service announcements will be placed in the media as pertinent reminders.
Meanwhile, the Commission has revealed that it is in the process of engaging the media and political parties, both Parliamentary and non-Parliamentary, with the intention of working for national consensus to educate and discourage acts that are not in keeping with the fostering of national harmony. In the interim, the ERC appeals for all “to be responsible in related endeavours.”

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