GPA condemns attacks on journalists by President, supporters

Sep 09, 2025 News

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…calls for improved relations between govt and news media

Kaieteur News – The Guyana Press Association (GPA) has condemned recent attacks on journalists by President Irfaan Ali and his supporters, while calling for improved relations between the new government and the news media.

In a statement on Monday the GPA said last Friday it was forced to take note of the President Ali’s treatment of senior journalist Travis Chase during a questioning opportunity outside the Guyana Elections Commission. “The GPA condemns the President’s attack on Mr. Chase and other journalists with his labelling of them as “Opposition aligned journalists”.

These attacks, the GPA said mirror similar ones perpetuated by other activists of the PPP including social media commentator and government contractor Mikhail Rodrigues who continues to label Chase and journalist Abena Rockcliffe as “Maduro Puppets”.

The GPA recalled that last Friday, outside the GECOM offices, Rodrigues repeatedly verbally abused other journalists in the vilest of manner while being cheered on by other activists of the governing party. “The GPA also condemns the attacks on Ms. Rockcliffe and all the other journalists who continue to do their jobs without fear or favour in an aggressive environment.” The association alluded to statements by several international observers of the September 1 elections that highlighted the polarised atmosphere in which Guyanese journalists continue to operate and the need for that to change. “The Guyana Press Association will continue to call on all politicians to respect journalists and their work,” the statement noted.

In his inauguration speech President said that his government recognises and respects the essential watchdog role of the media and will ensure greater sharing of information by instituting mechanisms in every ministry and department that provide the facts in a timely way. However, he said that his administration will hold those tasked with the dissemination of information accountable for their actions. “They must be held accountable,” he said.

The GP also took the time congratulate President Ali in his reelection while stressing that it is hoped that relations with the news media will be greatly improved in the coming months and years, with a clear understanding of the need for access to information, timely information sharing and respect for the work of the media. Additionally, the GPA said it hopes that elected officials, on both sides of the political aisle, will make themselves more accessible and available to the media and that matters related to the media and the work of the media would involve discussions with the media and the Guyana Press Association. “The media has a key role to play in today’s society, and it cannot be one reduced to hostility,” the statement read.

In a preliminary on its observation of the recent elections, the European Union Elections Observervation Mission noted that the media landscape is highly politicised with many outlets aligned with the government resulting in a disproportionate coverage in favour of the ruling party. The mission noted that state-run media favoured the government, while the editorial output of most private broadcast, print and digital outlets reflected their owners’ political alignment. “The integrity of independent reporting was undermined as some journalists openly campaigned for contesting parties, mostly the PPP/C. Positively defying this trend, a few independent outlets upheld journalistic standards, providing non-partisan scrutiny of candidates, their policies, and the electoral process. All monitored media outlets made a positive contribution to GECOM’s voter education efforts, airing many such clips during prime-time,” the EU mission said.

According to the mission several long-standing problems hindered the media’s work throughout the campaign. “Journalists faced difficulties in obtaining access to information of public interest, owing to inadequate action by the Commissioner of Information to address requests for information. Independent journalists were also singled out and verbally attacked by high-ranking government officials and their supporters at public events and harassed on social media for their professional stance and challenging questions. One prominent investigative reporter faced threats of legal action by government ministers, who considered his reporting as defamatory. Such a media environment does not foster independent, professional, and analytical reporting.”

Political bullying

Meanwhile, in a swift response to the GPA’s statement, Director of the Department of Public Information (DPI), Edward Layne noted that the association’s statement contains a number of inaccurate and untruthful claims. He said in particular, the claim that President Ali’s treatment of Journalist Travis Chase warrants condemnation is, in fact, another instance of politically-motivated bullying by the president of the GPA. “Mr. Chase does not observe even the most basic protocols and ethics of journalism. What the GPA should condemn is Chase’s aggressively confrontational tactics toward a Head of State, as well as his inflammatory posts on social media. By any measure, Mr. Chase’s practices in the media are at once symptomatic and symbolic of a deep (or even pathological) disregard for the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration,” Layne’s statement read.

He said the GPA’s defence and advocacy for Chase must not be taken seriously “because the Guyana Press Association is one of the most undemocratic, unbalanced, and congenitally biased organisations in Guyana. President Ali remains committed to ensuring that freedom of expression in Guyana, in all its forms and modalities, is guaranteed and defended. The expectations of ethical professional conduct must also follow the rule of law.”

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• Abena Rockliffe, Guyana Press Association, Iva Wharton, Maduro Puppets, Mikhail Rodrigues, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, Travis Chase

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