In a deeply troubling move, Guyana’s Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo has thrown down the gauntlet, declaring war on social media influencers who dare to criticize the government. This announcement is not just alarming; it’s a flagrant assault on the fundamental tenets of free speech and democracy in Guyana and even his most loyal supporters are questioning his misguided comments on social media.
Melly Mel, a formidable voice in the activist community, tackled this egregious threat head-on during a recent appearance on the Mark Benschop show. Melly Mel, who does not identify as an influencer but as a tireless advocate for Guyana’s people, has consistently used her platform to spotlight the government’s abuses and corruption. Her response to the VP’s intimidatory stance reflects the fierce urgency of a society teetering on the brink of authoritarianism. Melly Mel will not be cowed.
The activist known as Melly Mel asked a critical question, “Who gets to decide what constitutes ‘irresponsible comments’ against the government?” Allowing Bharrat Jagdeo to make such subjective judgment will create a perilous path, leading to rampant governmental overreach and the quashing of any dissent. Another citizen stated, “This is not merely an overstep, it is a glaring contradiction of the democratic ethos that should anchor a government’s rapport with its citizenry.”
Melly Mel’s went on to make some alarming revelations which paint a dangerous picture of Guyana’s slide into dictatorship. The government of Guyana, using the people’s money, employs minions to scrutinize and neutralize social media criticism. This is not just an infringement on free expression, it’s a gross misallocation of public funds, diverting resources from vital national needs.
Moreover, the VP’s threat to haul influencers and activists over the coals, under the pretense of battling cybercrime, is a transparent bid to muzzle opposition. Melly Mel astutely highlights the futility of extending Guyanese cybercrime laws to individuals in nations like the United States, where free speech is sacrosanct.
This maneuver by the VP she stated, sets a perilous precedent where even justified criticism of corruption or government inefficiency could be branded as irresponsible or criminal. Melly Mel’s assertion that the government’s actions are not just misguided but perilous, especially when involving foreign nationals, underlines the global ramifications of such policies. The leap from monitoring social media to outright censorship and repression is shorter than we think.
Jagdeo’s irresponsible statements and the government’s abusive tactics represent both an attack on free speech and a disturbing drift toward autocracy. This behavior cannot make investors or the diplomatic community very happy. Which responsible investor wants to pour millions of dollars into a country where a mad dictator abrogates to himself the right to create arbitrary and abusive policies to go after his enemies? Investors must note that the dictator’s friend today could quickly become his enemy tomorrow. Guyana is simply a horrible investment risk right now. The dictator continues to make the work of the diplomatic community more difficult as they are tasked with encouraging their investors to take a chance on Guyana despite the overwhelming influence of an out-of-control dictator. This sell is becoming increasingly difficult for the diplomatic corp.
Even Guyana’s silent local private sector community must be alarmed because they have to understand that fortunes can change at any election and they must understand why the right to critique, question, and hold the government accountable is not merely a privilege, but the bedrock of a free and just society. Melly Mel’s courageous stand is a clarion call, reminding us that it is through the bravery of individuals like Melly Mell, Benschop, Burke, Browne, Duncan, and others, and the power of collective voices that our freedoms are safeguarded.
