The Guyana Press Association offers best wishes to the President and his Government on their re-election to office.
It is hoped that relations with the news media will be greatly improved in the coming months and years, with a clear understanding of the need for access to information, timely information sharing and respect for the work of the media.
The GPA hopes that elected officials, on both sides of the political aisle, will make themselves more accessible and available to the media and that matters related to the media and the work of the media would involve discussions with the media and the Guyana Press Association.
The media has a key role to play in today’s society, and it cannot be one reduced to hostility.
Just last Friday, the GPA was forced to take note of the President’s treatment of senior journalist Travis Chase during a questioning opportunity outside the Elections Commission.
The GPA condemns the President’s attack on Mr. Chase and other journalists with his labelling of them as “Opposition aligned journalists”.
These attacks mirror similar ones perpetuated by other activists of the PPP including social media commentator and government contractor Mikhail Rodrigues who continues to label Chase and journalist Abena Rockcliffe as “Maduro Puppets”.
Last Friday, outside the GECOM offices, Rodrigues repeatedly verbally abused other journalists in the vilest of manner while being cheered on by other activists of the governing party.
The GPA also condemns the attacks on Ms. Rockcliffe and all the other journalists who continue to do their jobs without fear or favour in an aggressive environment.
Several international observers of the September 1 elections have highlighted the polarized atmosphere in which Guyanese journalists continue to operate and the need for that to change.
The Guyana Press Association will continue to call on ALL politicians to respect journalists and their work.
