Dear Editor,
I wish to condemn the vilification and disrespect towards my media colleague Miss Svetlana Marshall by Head of State Irfaan Ali.
I must commend Miss Marshall for maintaining her composure and professionalism despite the belligerence displayed towards her by President Ali.
On several occasions, when our President is asked questions that either implicate his government in misdoings or any member of the cabinet, he becomes defensive to the extent of raising his voice higher than that of the journalists or reporters.
One is to question the emotional intelligence of our President when in the “hot seat” with thousands of Guyanese watching on social media.
The manner in which President Ali behaved on Tuesday while on the sidelines of the commissioning of St. George’s School of Sciences tells citizens that they too can be vilified if they approach him on any matter of national importance that may badly reflect the performance or lackadaisical approach of his government.
With three years of experience in the media fraternity, I have seen journalists being verbally attacked by the Vice President at his regular press conferences on Thursdays when asked the “hard questions,” and disappointingly, other journalists just look on or sometimes snigger.
To this end, I staunchly believe that the perpetual attacks on press freedom must end now, as we are required to hold politicians accountable when they are either complicit or accused of corruption or any public malpractice or misconduct.
Regards
Concerned Journalist
