On the 9th September Mr. Prettipaul Hargobin was killed by protesters in Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice. This newspaper reported on the murder and on September 16th carried another report of those accused of his killing attending the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court where the charges were read to them. The names of the accused are Khaloo aged 60, Devon Karran 22, Shivchand 40, Ricardo Shivlall 26 and a juvenile. Beharilall Motielall aged 45, who claimed he is a disabled person, was charged for allegedly setting the dead man’s Tundra vehicle on fire.
What was interesting in the report is the Facebook comments in the response to our story. Persons expressed shock to who the accused were. Mr Hargobin was killed at a counter protest in Bath Settlement. This is the same village where the school children in March were attacked in their school bus on their way home. In hindsight there is a sense some Guyanese are not au fait with these villages and their ethnic compositions. There is also a sense that some felt the killing of an Indian man, during protest staged for the murders of Joel and Isaiash Henry had to be done by another ethnic group.
One reader of our newspaper, commenting on the story, said “There were several reports, in Guyana, in the Caribbean and even in the New York Times which either overtly stated or insinuated that the protestors who killed the man at Bath Settlement were associated with the APNU+AFC. Anyone who knows Guyana knows that Bath Settlement is not an APNU+AFC supporting village, that APNU+AFC protestors never protest in that village and that it is protestors who are supportive of the PPP who have regularly staged protests in that village.” This comment was attached to our story that had more than 200 shares and more than 200 re-shares from the commentator’s page, along with other shares.
The takeaway from this experience is that the media fraternity may have to do introspection, constantly. As providers of an important service to society it could be advantageous looking at how reporting can create better relationships among the different ethnic groups. Admittedly, the media could benefit from sensitivity training via observation (listening and learning) and participation.
As bearers of the news something went awry in the initial reporting of Mr. Hargobin’s killing that could have caused people to think it was related to the protest against the slaying of the Henry teens. It may have been oversight on the part of some or deliberate on the part of others not to report the Bath Settlement protest was a counter protest.
Guyanese are not fools, are in fact very intuitive, and quick to spot and point out a difference. A lesson for all is, it does not help to insult their intelligence or take them for granted. Citizens are much smarter and can deal with the truth. The Village Voice observes while there may be a tendency of some to play on racial fears and propagate racial hatred, by and large, they are decent Guyanese of all races. Irrespective of race these Guyanese will condemn a wrong and applaud a deserving success.
They can deal with the truth no matter how ugly or pleasant, and no matter who stands to benefit or not. These are the people that are so vital to the growth and development of Guyana, so vital to improving race relations. This newspaper salutes you and encourages your continued support. Expressions like yours serve as valuable feedback.
