The Guyana Press Association (GPA) has flatly rejected claims by Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir that current restrictions on media access to parliamentary sittings stem from an agreement with the association, insisting the limitations imposed during the 2026 Budget debates are unjustified, outdated and damaging to democratic transparency.
Speaking in the National Assembly on Tuesday, the Speaker suggested that the “alienation” of sections of the media resulted from an agreement between his office and the GPA, and said the matter could be revisited through a motion brought before the House.
However, in a statement dated February 3, 2026, the GPA said it was “debunk[ing] the fallacious misrepresentations” made by the Speaker during the Third Sitting of the National Assembly on Monday, February 2, and Tuesday, February 3, and categorically rejected the assertion that any existing agreement governs current media access to the Assembly.
According to the GPA, the agreement referenced by the Speaker applied only to coverage of the First and subsequent sittings of the Twelfth Parliament and explicitly stated that “these arrangements are in keeping with COVID-19 measures.” The association noted that since national COVID-19 restrictions ended in March 2022, media access had been relaxed, allowing more than five reporters and more than one private television camera inside the Chamber.
“It is rather unfortunate that the Speaker of the National Assembly has been repeatedly invoking an agreement that is no longer applicable and relevant post-COVID-19,” the GPA said.
The association also reminded the Speaker that at the Parliament Building on Brickdam, the press table previously accommodated as many as 12 journalists, and that additional reporters and television camerapersons were accommodated behind the public gallery as Guyana’s media sector expanded. It noted that there are at least 15 news media entities based in Georgetown.
Addressing the Speaker’s reference to Standing Order 110, which allows the Speaker to grant permission to media representatives under rules made by the National Assembly, the GPA questioned the existence of any such rules approved by motion. The association said the Speaker’s position “begs the question where and what are the ‘rules’ governing media access that the National Assembly made by a motion.”
The GPA further said the Speaker appeared to have been misadvised regarding the use of cellular phones to record parliamentary sittings. It stated that phones cannot produce broadcast-quality audio and video and are not a substitute for professional cameras, arguing that this cannot justify reducing the number of reporters to five or seven.
The association also rejected claims that Parliament provides a direct audio-visual feed. “Factually there is no direct audio-video feed for cameras inside the dome and this is unacceptable,” the GPA said, adding that media houses have been directed to rely on a link from the Department of Public Information (DPI), which it described as unreliable, with frequent audio interruptions. It stressed that “an online link cannot be considered a direct feed.”
The GPA reiterated its opposition to the decision to exclude all private cameras except those operated by the DPI, noting that the DPI has since clarified that it has no arrangement with Parliament to disseminate or provide video links to the media.
The association stated “unequivocally” that there is sufficient space to accommodate more than seven reporters and more than three private camerapersons at any given time, adding that media presence fluctuates based on editorial judgment.
“Against the background of the foregoing, the GPA reiterates its position that the decision by the Speaker of the National Assembly to limit and restrict media access to the National Assembly is an attack on media freedom and affects the fair, timely and transparent coverage of the Parliament of Guyana,” the statement said.
The GPA also recounted events leading up to the 2026 Budget presentation. In the days prior, media workers raised concerns with the association about anticipated limitations on coverage due to accommodation constraints. GPA President Iva Wharton, accompanied by Executive Member Gordon Moseley, met with the Clerk of the National Assembly and the Parliament Office’s Public Relations Officer. According to the GPA, the Clerk agreed that the concerns were valid and attempted to facilitate a discussion with the Speaker by phone, but the Speaker refused and maintained that only five journalists would be allowed access and that no cameras would be permitted.
The association said it subsequently sought meetings with the Speaker at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, but these efforts were rebuffed. On Budget Day, two days later, Wharton again raised the concerns directly with the Speaker during a meeting, but he stood by his position and media access remained restricted.
The GPA said it was never re-engaged by the Speaker or any other parliamentary representative ahead of the enforcement of the restrictions, which now include requiring reporters to lodge national identification cards or driver’s licences before being granted limited access.
In an earlier statement, the GPA reminded the National Assembly that “the role of the press is to ensure transparency, accountability, and accurate reporting of parliamentary business,” warning that restricting access and failing to provide proper technical facilities undermines the public’s right to be informed. The association said it “strongly condemn[s] this edict from the Speaker” and called on Mr Nadir to urgently review the measures and restore full media access in keeping with democratic norms and open governance.
