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Stabroek News gave Civil Society its voice

Mar 14, 2026 Letters

Dear Editor,

I wish to join the scores of readers who have lamented the pending closure of the Stabroek News as a national icon and which has set lofty standards in the history of journalism in Guyana. While the national newspaper and the other private paper shut out voices that offer critiques on national issues, the SN along with the KN gave civil society (CS) its voice in national affairs.

Many people have told me they read my letters in the SN. With SN gone, that civil society voice will be much diminished. In the governance of any country, the voice of civil society must be listened to as they reflect what large swatches of citizens are thinking too. While governments may see the viewpoints of CS activists as a nuisance, it does so to its own peril. The SN as a responsible newspaper will not publish material that is slanderous or libelous. With its closure, the unintended consequence for the government will be that rabble rousers will peddle fake news, falsehoods and slanderous propaganda to fill in that space and make it hellish for any government which does not like criticism and commentaries highlighting policy failures or failures in governance. So, the government side might regret not throwing the SN a lifeline.

The SN was denied a radio license although it was an established media. That might have helped the SN to be viable. The non-payment for ads and services supplied by the SN did much to hurt the SN remaining solvent. When I thought the government would throw a lifeline to the SN, instead the government side, like the soup Nazi in the Seinfeld show, said “no soup for you.” SN was told there will be no more ads for March.

I am a trained journalist and will always support the freedom of the media, freedom of information, and the free access of the media to the coverage of public matters in parliament and outside of parliament. I grew up reading the PPP’s newspaper – the “Mirror,” during the 28 years of the Burnham/PNC dictatorship. It was from the Mirror that I developed my concepts about a free press, freedom of information, democracy, civil rights, citizens’ rights to criticise, fair mindedness and justice. The PPP then told us what right and what was wrong, and what good democracy looks like. I became a Jaganite in my thinking. That’s why as a PPP supporter, I offer critiques as a civil society advocate, trusting that the current leaders of the PPP are committed to those Jaganite principles, and that we would not have a resurgence of Burnham-type thinking and actions. We must be vigilant to ensure Guyana does not go down that road again.

The DeCaires family, Miles Fitzpatrick, and the various editors of SN are national heroes. Editor-in-Chief Anand Persaud deserves a national honour for his contribution to journalism. We will miss his incisive editorials, especially those on education issues. Guyana will be the poorer without the SN. Thanks to the board and all the staff for their service to Guyana.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jerry Jailall

Civil Society Advocate

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