On 1 September, Guyana held national elections where the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) won a majority of votes, granting President Irfaan Ali a second term in office. Unfortunately, President Ali’s tenure in office has been marred by his government’s hostility towards the news media. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls on President Ali’s administration to make press freedom a priority during his five-year mandate. RSF has issued three policy recommendations to help the government reset its relationship with the media.
Guyana ranks 73rd in the 2025 RSF World Press Freedom Index but its political indicator stands at 111th, largely due to the oversized influence the government exerts on the media. The recent vote reaffirms RSF findings: according to the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM), during the election, “The undue advantages of incumbency contributed to an uneven playing field. The media landscape was strongly politicised, giving voters fewer opportunities to access diverse perspectives. The digital space was dynamic but often hostile, with manipulative content spread by partisan actors.”
Guyana’s president directly appoints members of the Guyana National Broadcast Authority, which affects the independence of the country’s media outlets, as these allies of the president have the power to revoke broadcast media licenses. Journalists in Guyana say they feel it in their jobs, with the government selectively granting interviews and advertising opportunities to favoured media outlets. Public officials, including President Ali, insult journalists, and politicians resort to defamation lawsuits to silence members of the media. Notably, journalist Leroy Smith of the Big Smith News Watch was threatened with sedition charges and targeted by a multi-million dollar defamation lawsuit in October 2024 filed by the Assistant Commissioner of Police and Head of the Special Organised Crime Unit due to Leroy Smith’s report on his alleged misconduct. Harassment by government supporters is commonly reported by the Guyanese journalists that RSF surveys each year as part of its data collection for the World Press Freedom Index.
In his inaugural address on 7 September, President Ali noted, “We recognise and respect the essential watchdog role of the media, and we will ensure greater transparency by instituting mechanisms in every ministry and department that provide the facts in a timely way.” These positive words must be followed up with action.
“Open hostility from the government towards the media has become a regrettable norm in Guyana. This culture of antagonism is directly holding Guyana back on the World Press Freedom Index. It doesn’t need to be this way. This election is an excellent opportunity for a reset. RSF calls for President Ali’s administration to help foster a more pluralistic media landscape, provide transparent and timely access to the entire press corps and treat journalists with respect. The free press must always be an essential part of Guyana’s democracy, and RSF stands ready to help facilitate a healthier relationship between the government and the media.
Three RSF recommendations for the Ali administration
- End politicians’ hostility towards journalists. Politicians must also refrain from personally berating or insulting journalists, or inciting their supporters to do the same. Clear signals that the harassment of journalists is unacceptable must come from the very top.
- Codify rules to ensure the impartiality of government advertising to prevent it from being used to play favourites with the media.
- Provide transparent and timely access to the entire press corps. Leaders must regularly offer availability to a plurality of voices in the media without giving favour to specific outlets, including state media.
Reporters Without Borders
