Media has unfettered access to President Ali – Minister McCoy

Jun 24, 2023 News

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Kaieteur News – In response to Stabroek News’ June 19, 2023, editorial ‘President Press Conferences’, Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy stated that the media has unfettered access to President Irfaan Ali.

In Stabroek News editorial, it was stated that, “…President Ali continues to refuse to convene press conferences, a most extraordinary circumstance as far as modern governance goes.”

The editorial went on to state that, “This refusal to hold press conferences also evinces a lack of recognition and respect for the role that the media plays in ensuring government accountability and providing an interface through various platforms between the President and the people. It appears that the President’s notion of accountability to the public and the media – aside from his occasional addresses to the nation – is the answering of questions haphazardly lobbed at him on the sidelines of events. It also appears that another stratagem is to have others in government answer on his behalf or to impose their views as reflective of presidential authority.  That is no substitute at all for press conferences.”

In a response published by the Department of Public Information (DPI), Minister McCoy was quoted as saying that the news agency sought “hysteria” over a subject matter already addressed by the government; adding that Stabroek News seems to believe that it has the power to influence the policies of the government.

Minister McCoy echoed that no universal law mandates the way government should interact with the media while reminding these engagements are at the discretion of government officials.

“They are well aware that while issues of press freedom and safety are accorded universal coverage and safeguards, there exists no universal convention which stipulates or mandates how governments should approach engagements with the press. They are also fully aware that such protocols and conventions are entirely at the discretion of individual elected leaders and their governments by extension,” he stated.

According to the DPI report, since assuming office in 2020, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has held several formal press conferences and has never shied away from addressing questions from the Guyanese or international press.

It was further stated that the editorial’s criticism of the president’s community-based outreach exercise at Parika on the West Coast is also mentioned, suggesting that the Stabroek News’ preference for ‘exclusivity and luxury’ does not align with the president’s commitment to addressing the needs of the people.

Minister McCoy said that there is no executive policy mandating the president’s confinement to formal and scheduled press conferences. Instead, the president and his government remain accessible to the press through various means, including presidential and ministerial press conferences organized at their discretion. The DPI article stated that Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo is also available to address questions from the press.

Moreover, Kaieteur News reported that amid a blackout of official press conferences and growing concerns by media houses President Ali on Wednesday committed to hosting a news conference upon his return from an official overseas visit.

The Head-of-State declined to respond to questions put to him on Wednesday on the sidelines of the opening of the Good Hope Secondary School, East Coast Demerara (ECD). He told Kaieteur News that he was running late for an urgent meeting and would host a press conference “soon”. He did not indicate when he was expected to travel or return.

President Ali has had a limited number of press conferences since assuming office in August 2020. His government has also been heavily criticized for failing to host post Cabinet press briefings as was the custom under the previous A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition government. These engagements serve as a medium for the administration to be held to account for its decisions that affect the lives of the entire population.

Rather than hosting press conferences, the Head-of-State has been disseminating live statements on critical issues, thereby preventing the media from playing its role in questioning certain decisions and actions taken by government.

During a press conference on January 17, 2023 at State House, the President told this publication that he is accessible to the press and even described himself as the “most accessible President in the history of Guyana”. Ali said reporters can attest to him being open to questions at any event he attends.

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• Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali, Kwame McCoy, media, President, Prime Minister

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