The Guyana Press Association (GPA) has expressed profound sorrow at the announced closure of Stabroek News, describing it as a historic loss to Guyana’s media landscape and to the democratic fabric of the nation.
In a statement issued Friday, the GPA said it was “deeply saddened” by the shutdown of the newspaper, widely regarded as Guyana’s first independent publication in the post-independence era.
Named after the central Georgetown ward of Stabroek, the newspaper was first published in November 1986 as a weekly before transitioning to a daily edition. At a time when information was tightly controlled, Stabroek News carved out a new space for openness, public debate and investigative scrutiny.
“For decades, Stabroek News has been a pillar of independent journalism, providing citizens with credible information, diverse perspectives, and fearless reporting,” the association stated.
The impending closure was formally announced on Friday in a message signed by Isabelle de Caires and Brendan de Caires, children of the paper’s founder and first editor, David de Caires.
In the statement, they reflected on the legacy of their parents, David and Doreen de Caires, writing:
“Our parents [ David and Doreen de Caires] built a company based on compassion. When workers struggled to find childcare, the company started a creche: it lasted for 20 years. When transportation to and from work proved to be a challenge, the company provided it (for decades). Pension and medical benefit schemes were introduced. These measures help to explain our extraordinary rates of staff retention in a job market characterised by churn. Nearly half of our employees have been with us for a decade, many for several decades. It also explains why the newspaper functioned without a break through the disruption of the Covid years. We are immensely proud of this legacy and deeply appreciative of those who maintained the ecosystem that was created. Concern for the welfare of the staff has been the paramount factor in the Board’s final deliberations.”
The GPA said the announcement took many by surprise and warned that the loss represents more than the end of a publication.
“Its closure represents not only the silencing of a critical voice but also a reminder of the challenges faced by independent media in sustaining operations amidst economic and political pressures,” the association noted.
The GPA underscored the indispensable role of independent media in safeguarding democracy.
“Independent media is essential to any society. It ensures accountability, amplifies marginalized voices, and provides a platform for public debate free from undue influence,” the statement said. “Without strong, independent journalism, citizens are deprived of the transparency and scrutiny that safeguard democracy and protect public trust.”
Over nearly four decades, Stabroek News earned a reputation for tackling difficult and often controversial issues, including corruption, human rights abuses and environmental concerns. The GPA described the publication as “a bastion of journalistic integrity,” adding that it empowered citizens to demand accountability and transparency from those in positions of authority.
The association is now urging collective action to prevent further erosion of the media environment.
“The Guyana Press Association calls on all stakeholders; government, private sector, civil society, and the international community, to recognize the importance of supporting independent media institutions,” the statement said.
It added that the impending closure of Stabroek News should serve as a wake-up call to strengthen protections for press freedom and to ensure Guyana’s media space remains diverse, resilient and capable of fulfilling its democratic role.
In closing, the GPA reaffirmed its commitment to defending press freedom and supporting journalists across Guyana “in their pursuit of truth, accountability, and public service.”
The shuttering of Stabroek News marks the end of an era in Guyanese journalism — one defined not only by independent reporting, but by a workplace culture that, as its founders’ children noted, placed compassion and staff welfare at its core.
