Linden protests state-owned NCN muzzling Opposition voices

Linden/Region 10, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) candidates for the Local Government Elections (LGE) last Friday staged a protest against the state-owned National Communication Network (NCN), in Linden, for denial of access. Persons carried placards describing the situation as dictatorship, political brutality, among others messages. Some protestors had tapes across their mouths, symbolic of being  muzzled.

Mr. Deron Adams, Regional Chairman, stated that as residents across Guyana prepare to elect persons from their communities to represent them at the local government level, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government has embarked on a programme of using the people’s resources to restrict, oppress and discriminate against them.

Adams noted the PPP/C has fielded the manager of NCN Linden as one of its candidates. He pointed that since April 25, 2023 the APNU wrote the manager requesting access to the television broadcasts to introduce their candidates and to share their vision for the development of the town, but to date the letter remains unanswered.

Chiding the PPP for using the state-owned media (the people’s mouthpiece) as a political mouthpiece, the chairman stated only PPP/C electoral candidates are being given the opportunity to appear on the television station.

“We are deeply troubled by the actions of the PPP/C government in exploiting and restricting APNU candidates from attending programs and engaging the electorate on the Linden television station ahead of the local government elections, a clear attempt to stifle the voices of our people and deny citizens access to diverse perspectives on the issues that matter to them.”

Noting the development has undermined the very core of the code of the media conduct for elections, Adams referenced:

Section 2, items iii, iv and v of the Media Code of Conduct:-

iii. To hold themselves independent and free of any, or all, government and political opposition control and direction;

iv. To hold themselves independent and free of any, or all, control and direction from any of the political parties officially registered to contest the elections;

v. To hold themselves free of any, or all, control and direction from any individual, group or organization representing or promoting the special interests of any of the political parties officially registered to contest elections.

Adams stated the NCN is in breached of all three.

Flanked by APNU candidates, Adams said “we believe, in the principles of democracy and fair representation, and it is essential that all candidates are given equal opportunities to engage with the electorate.”

By denying local government candidates access to the television station, the government is undermining the oath that elected councillors take to serve the residents without fear or favour and the spirit of the Local Government system, he further noted.

The PPP/C, he contended, wants to govern and use assets owned by the people to deny citizens their rights, as he called on the government to cease its biased actions and uphold the principles of democracy by allowing for a fair and transparent election process.

All candidates, he said, must be given equal access to media and equal opportunities to engage with residents and communicate their platforms with citizens. “The voice of the people must be heard, and the government must respect the will of the people.”

Adams also called on the international community and all stakeholders to condemn the government’s undemocratic actions in censoring the local government process.

Assuring residents, the RDC and APNU stand in solidarity with the people of Guyana, the regional chairman said they will continue to fight for a fair and just Guyana where all citizens are treated equally, consistent with the motto of One People One Nation One Destiny.