Jagdeo uses press conference to target dissenting voices, press freedom under threat- Int’l Monitor Group

A new report from CIVICUS Monitor has sounded a warning on the alarming decline in press freedom in Guyana under the current government. The report criticises Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo’s weekly press conferences, which often target and undermine dissenting voices, and President Irfaan Ali’s preference for controlled media interactions, such as scripted Facebook Lives.

With the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government exerting increasing pressure on the media, the report paints a disturbing picture of an administration actively stifling critical journalism and undermining democratic principles.

Released on March 1, 2025, the CIVICUS report paints a grim picture of the government’s approach to media engagement. In an interview with an anonymous Guyanese activist, the organisation detailed the challenges faced by local media outlets. The activist revealed that many media organisations are avoiding critical reporting out of fear of harassment or retribution from the government.

The report also notes that Guyana’s position on the Reporters Without Borders (RWB) Press Freedom Index has significantly declined. While physical attacks on journalists remain rare, the report points out the growing issue of cyberbullying and efforts to discredit journalists.

Additionally, the government has downplayed the significance of the decline in press freedom by offering public relations positions to friendly journalists and selectively distributing state advertising funds to media houses and social media commentators who support its agenda.

“Freedom of the press is not just important to democracy, it is democracy,” said the renowned journalist Walter Cronkite. Unfortunately, press freedom in Guyana is increasingly being stripped away.

Since the PPP returned to power in August 2020, the situation has worsened. The current government has largely monopolised the media landscape, turning the Department of Public Information into a propaganda arm. State-owned outlets, such as the Guyana Chronicle and the National Communications Network (NCN), have become tools to promote news favourable to the government.

Meanwhile, independent media outlets are being co-opted by the PPP, and those that dare to criticise the administration face retaliation. Independent media houses that criticise the government are often punished by being denied government advertisements or subjected to other forms of pressure.

As noted by media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RWB), “State-owned and controlled media compete with several private radio stations, channels, and publications. Independent and opposition media outlets struggle to compete with the advertising revenues of pro-government media outlets, which threatens their economic viability.” Media organisations like this publication, as well as Benschop 107.1FM, have firsthand experience with this issue, as outlets like C.S. Sharma and HBTV were recently forced to sell.

This manipulation of the media landscape has created a situation where it is increasingly difficult for Guyanese to find balanced and credible news sources.

RWB further points out that although Guyana’s constitution guarantees freedom of expression and the right to information, these laws are often not enforced. Public officials use defamation lawsuits to target journalists, and the threat of legal harassment is enough to deter investigative journalism.

In recent years, the government has passed legislation designed to muzzle reporters who oppose the authorities, including an anti-defamation law that can result in fines and imprisonment for up to two years for journalists critical of the government. Many Guyanese are all too familiar with the chilling effect these has had on press freedom.

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‘The CIVICUS Monitor is a cutting edge research tool built by civil society, aimed to share reliable, up-to-date data on the state of civil society freedoms in all countries.’