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Dear Editor,
The recent spotlight given to the Guyana Press Association and its just concluded elections is now part of public debate and with each passing day more revelations and questions are being put by members of the media and in some quarters of the society. What those questions are and the conclusions drawn, I will not take up space to say.
But I am confident that we all can agree that the Guyana Press Association and its counterparts in the region and around the world have played an integral role in shaping democracy and ensuring that there is transparency of government actions in many societies.
As the fourth estate, the press has the responsibility to serve as a watchdog over those in power and hold them accountable to the public, as they should also for themselves and the organization they represent
The role of press associations in promoting the free exchange of information and ideas has helped to build robust democracies around the world. It is important for us to understand that press associations are important institutions that contribute to the development of society by offering information that uncovers the truth, promotes public participation, and contributes to the dissemination of democratic values.
These organisations serve as the voice of journalists, carrying the voice of the voiceless, ensuring that they are represented accurately and collaboratively in their mission to serve the public interest. Press associations are expected to provide the media with the necessary resources and support to face the ongoing challenges that modern journalism presents, such as censorship, repression, violence, victimization, discrimination, and disinformation.
The press is regarded as the fourth estate of democratic societies because it plays a vital role in the balance of power between the government and the people. It serves as a mechanism for ensuring accountability, transparency, good governance, and demand responsibility from those in power. Its primary function is to produce credible information that citizens can use to make informed decisions.
Editor, by effectively monitoring the workings of the government and other institutions, the press can alert the public about issues of corruption, fraud, and violations of the country’s constitution and civil liberties.
The press also serves as a conduit for the dissemination of ideas and opinions, allowing for a dynamic discourse that enriches democracy. It is through the media that the public receives information about diverse perspectives, opinions, and ideas that are vital for effective policy making and implementation. This creates a sense of transparency that promotes public trust in democratic institutions, which, in turn, is essential for the proper functioning of any democratic society.
Editor, with the press having such a crucial role to play in society, it is extremely important that press associations remain independent. Equally so, for Guyana’s Press Association to also exhibit independence in every sense and have an apolitical posture, especially those in the leadership and who aspire to be.
The independence of Guyana’s press is critical for it to serve effectively and be respected as the fourth estate of the country. This means that it is vital for them not to be seen as supporting any political party, in government or not. Equally, so be in supporting the interests of any political leader or interest group. If the press does not remain independent, it can become open to influence and manipulation, which would undermine its essential role as a watchdog and lose public trust.
The Guyana Press organisation must remain free from undue political or commercial pressure. It is important that journalists have the freedom to carry out their functions of informing, investigating, exposing, and criticising without fear or favour.
We have seen in this country many times over, where some media, owned by individuals that have political or commercial interests, deliberately choose to provide coverage that is favorable to their interests. These actions usually result in the suppression of stories that are unflattering to the organization or the individuals that own it. Some media owners have even weaponised their private media to attract individuals, political parties, and organizations they are opposed to. These observations must compel the GPA to act to curb those occurrences.
Mr. Editor, the aforementioned factors are of utmost importance for press associations to remain independent wherever they exist.
The public expects and therefore exhibits confidence that the media provides it with information that is objective and credible. This cannot happen if the media is perceived to be partisan. The independence of press organisations is also instrumental in promoting media plurality, which is vital for the promotion of democracy. This requires the media to reflect the diversity of opinions within society and to cover events from different angles. Hence, the opposition positions must also be given equal space in the media.
The Guyana Press Association and several independent media have a lot to do to gain public confidence. Don’t throw stones when you like in a glass house. The same standards rightfully demanded must also be reflected and shown in one’s own affairs.
Yours truly,
Hon. Jermaine Figueira.MP
