By Roysdale Forde S.C- As we approach the General and Regional elections, the battle for truth and Guyana’s soul is intensifying . The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration, leveraging its control over state media, has crafted a carefully curated image of progress and prosperity. However, this narrative often obscures the lived realities of many Guyanese, particularly those in marginalised communities and opposition strongholds. In this oil-rich nation, where transformative wealth has yet to reach all corners, the rise of citizen journalism through smartphones and social media offers a powerful counterforce to state-driven propaganda, amplifying voices that are systematically sidelined.
The PPP/C government has long utilised state-controlled media outlets, such as the Guyana Chronicle and the National Communications Network (NCN), to promote its agenda. These platforms frequently highlight ribbon-cutting ceremonies, infrastructure announcements, and optimistic economic projections, painting a picture of a nation on the cusp of unparalleled growth. Oil revenues, which have surged since the discovery of vast offshore reserves in 2015, are often showcased as evidence of the government’s success in transforming Guyana into a regional powerhouse.
However, this narrative is selectively constructed. State media often downplays or outright ignores pressing issues: crumbling infrastructure, inadequate healthcare, and persistent poverty in both urban and rural areas. Reports of substandard work by contractors awarded lucrative state contracts rarely make it to the airwaves, and investigations into mismanagement or corruption are conspicuously absent. More critically, the voices of opposition political parties, are frequently marginalised, their policy proposals and critiques buried under a deluge of government-friendly coverage.
This selective reporting extends to minority communities, including Indigenous groups in the hinterland and Afro-Guyanese populations in urban and rural areas. Their concerns, whether about land rights, economic exclusion, or environmental degradation due to oil activities, are rarely given the platform they deserve. The result is a media landscape that stifles dissent and limits the public’s access to a balanced understanding of the nation’s challenges and opportunities.
In this context, smartphones and social media have emerged as transformative tools for democratic engagement. Platforms like Facebook, TikTok, WhatsApp, and Instagram have democratised information-sharing, enabling ordinary Guyanese to bypass traditional gatekeepers and tell their own stories. From the flooded streets of Georgetown to the neglected villages of the hinterland, citizens are documenting their realities in real-time, offering a stark contrast to the polished narratives of state media.
This phenomenon, often referred to as citizen journalism, is not merely about sharing grievances; it is about reclaiming power. A mother filming a dilapidated school in Region 10 can reach thousands with a single post. A farmer in a riverine community sharing a video of a polluted waterway can spark a conversation that state media would never initiate. These acts of documentation are inherently political, challenging the government’s monopoly on truth and exposing the disparities between official rhetoric and lived experience.
Social media’s immediacy and accessibility make it a formidable platform for accountability. Unlike state media, which operates under editorial constraints aligned with the PPP/C, platforms like TikTok and WhatsApp allow raw, unfiltered truths to surface. A viral video of a washed-out bridge in Region 7 or a post about a health center in Region 1 lacking basic supplies can resonate far beyond Guyana’s borders, drawing attention from the diaspora and international observers. This global reach amplifies local voices, making it harder for the government to dismiss or ignore them.
The PPP/C administration is acutely aware of the threat posed by this decentralised flow of information. While it has not resorted to overt censorship, there are subtle but deliberate efforts to control the narrative. Press conferences are tightly scripted, with questions from independent journalists often sidestepped. Access to government officials for interviews is selectively granted, with preference given to outlets that align with the PPP/C’s messaging. Meanwhile, opposition leaders and activists report limited airtime on state media, effectively choking off their ability to reach a broad audience.
This marginalisation extends to minority communities, whose issues are often framed as secondary to the government’s broader developmental goals. For instance, Indigenous groups advocating for stronger environmental protections in the wake of oil exploration are rarely featured in state media, their concerns overshadowed by stories of economic growth. Similarly, Afro-Guyanese communities, which have historically supported opposition parties, find their narratives of economic exclusion and systemic neglect absent from national broadcasts.
The transformative potential of citizen journalism lies in its ability to foster accountability and empower communities. Every smartphone is a tool for truth, capable of capturing the realities that state media glosses over: the garbage-choked canals of Albouystown, the overcrowded classrooms in Linden, the impassable roads in Berbice. These images and stories, shared across social platforms, build a collective narrative that challenges the government’s claims of universal progress.
For opposition parties and minority groups, social media offers a lifeline. Platforms like Facebook Live allow opposition leaders to communicate directly with supporters, bypassing the filters of state media. Community activists can organize and mobilise without relying on traditional outlets, creating digital spaces where alternative visions for Guyana’s future can be debated and refined. This is particularly crucial for Indigenous and rural communities, whose geographic isolation has historically limited their access to national discourse.
As elections loom, the role of citizen journalism becomes even more critical. The PPP/C’s control over state media has intensified, with opposition plans and minority concerns further sidelined. Therefore, every Guyanese with a smartphone has a responsibility to document and share the truth. Film the broken infrastructure. Record the struggles of your community. Share the stories that state media ignores. Let no region be forgotten, no injustice go unchallenged.
This is not just about exposing problems; it is about building a movement for accountability. Every post, every video, every shared image chips away at the propaganda machine, creating space for a more inclusive and transparent national conversation. The government may fear the camera in your hand, but that fear is a testament to its power. A single image of a flooded village can speak louder than a minister’s speech; a mother’s testimony about her struggles can resonate more than a government press release.
Let us flood the digital streets with truth. Let social media become our front page, our nightly news, our public square. Let citizen journalism light the way where state media has gone dark. The power to shape Guyana’s future begins with us—our voices, our stories, our unfiltered realities. In an oil-rich nation still grappling with poverty and inequality, the struggle for truth is a struggle for justice. And with a smartphone in hand, every Guyanese can be part of that fight.
