KN and SN institutionalized free press in Guyana

Mar 10, 2026 Letters

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Dear Editor,

At a Phagwah service, a worshipper, a regular reader of SN and KN, shockingly showed (like a columnist of another newspaper) no sadness that SN is closing because he felt the paper has not been balanced in its critiques of his government as compared with another government. That is not a fair criticism of SN, and it also does not apply to KN. Both played important roles, as did the independent media houses, in institutionalizing free press in Guyana.

Cheddi and Janet Jagan would never have criticized SN because they knew the role SN (and independent commentators and activists like Ravi Dev, Baytoram Ramharack, Vassan Ramracha, myself, others) played in the return of PPP to government. Regardless of which party was or is in government, SN has held them as well as politicians across the aisle accountable; KN also played a similar role although not as focused on investigative reporting. KN spoke out against skullduggery in 2020. It would be correct to say that SN and KN provided fair, balanced, accurate reporting, despite facing intense pressure from politicians and powerful business entities that held the purse of advertisements. SN and KN did not yield to blackmail, unjustified attacks, and withdrawal of Ads.  And unlike other papers, both printed criticisms of their paper.

And it must never be forgotten that SN and KN have provided invaluable service to the country, Guyana. SN played a very critical role in the cancellation of the 1990 planned electoral rigging and the restoration of democracy in October 1992, joining the PCD parties, GUARD, other civic groups, and those of us who fought unrelentingly from 1968 for free and fair elections. SN had not only combated authoritarian rule, it has been serving (from 1986) as a vibrant watchdog that has exposed corruption and waste, abuse of power, helping to mobilize civic action, and providing platforms for opposition voices. Despite facing intense repression, SN has used investigative journalism to hold all governments, politicians, and contractors accountable.

For nearly 40 years, SN has served as a platform to speak out against fraud (electoral and otherwise), waste (inefficient use of resources), and abuses of all kinds (politicians, governments, businesses, violations of laws and rules, etc.) and regardless of which party in government. A first for Guyana, it published opinion polls (TRPI, NACTA) that were attacked by various parties and a discredited, opportunistic columnist who complained he was not consulted or interviewed. It was fearless journalism at its best.

SN and KN should be proud of contributions to Guyana. It is not forgotten that journalists face extreme risks, including harassment, legal retaliation, charges, lawsuits, physical harm, police raids when they expose misdeeds; KN faced several libel suits and SN itself was the subject of a police raid five years ago and several lawsuits and an attack  (remember the disgusting ‘Potugee’ mafia attack in 1989). I recall David deCaires showing me a terse letter (early 2000s) from a lawyer threatening a lawsuit on behalf of the then government. DeCaires told me that his response was SN would defend a lawsuit in court rather than publish a retraction and apology for an accurate report. The then government backed down.

I salute SN and KN and journalists who courageously expose wrong doings in Guyana going back since November 1986. It is most unfortunate that SN is shuttering at a time when media space is shrinking not only in Guyana but globally as well with the result that the public has less and less avenue to vent their views on issues; on this note, there is no diaspora publication in USA when at one time we had half a dozen in NY. Politicians, governments, businesses and others are less and less being held accountable globally. Highlighting and reporting on wrong doings is essential to defending democratic values. Thus, the closure of a media house signals a threat to democratic institutions regardless of the country where it is located. I urge KN to stay the course.

The role of the media in examining (reporting, exposing) the policies and actions of authorities (government and opposition) and businesses is more critical than ever. Independent media helps to protect democratic principles by uncovering the erosion of rights and abuses of power. Political analysts say that a failure to expose misdeeds will allow wrong doings to go unchecked. Another outlet to fill the gap caused by SN’s closure is needed to hold authority accountable. A print newspaper is a major challenge as I discovered years ago when attempting to do so in NY

I appeal to Guyanese (business, intellectuals, journalists, others) to start an on line publication to give voice to the public and to provide accurate news reporting as SN did for nearly 40 years. We need an avenue for people to express views on government, opposition, business, and NGOs. And as we look toward post March 15, let us give support (ads and subscriptions and purchase papers) to independent media houses enabling them to maintain a free press, a cornerstone of democracy.

Yours sincerely,

Vishnu Bisram

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• free press, Kaieteur News, Letters, Stabroek News, Vishnu Bisram

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