The Guyana Press Association (GPA) views the Minister of Public Affairs, Kwame Mc Coy’s support for the recent intimidation of media workers as worrying and a most disappointing response to a legitimate issue raised by media workers.
The Minister’s response to GPA President Nazima Raghubir’s concern and those of Kaieteur News journalists is in contradiction to the Media Freedom Coalition’s mandate “working together to advocate for media freedom and safety of journalists” the body noted. “Notably, the Minister signed and committed to the Coalition in 2021.” The GPA says it finds the minister’s entire response instructive. It is, sadly, a fully opened window displaying how the government disregards the media workers and its concerns.
The GPA reminds that in November 2018 the body condemned the heckling of media workers by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and its supporters and this time around we outright condemned any intimidation of media workers and called for better treatment of the media. For the avoidance of doubt and ease of reference the GPA has placed below the full text of its statement.
The body advises this cannot be the yardstick any political party in or out government wants to use as an engagement with the press. The Minister with his “media” experience, and now his mandate to build better relations should do better, it is being urged.
“Equally disturbing was the fact that President Irfaan Ali sought to pre-empt what he considered would have been questions by sections of the privately-owned media in his effort to stimulate cheers from the audience by previously stated positions/ political statements that are no longer of news value.
“Rather than lecture the media about how to do its job, the President would have been better off if he had provided details of policies and programmes to address the likely impact of an oil spill on Caribbean islands. Access to Information can become an invaluable resource if invaluable details are provided.”
The GPA urges media workers in the State and privately-owned media to take note that situations like these point to the need for your body to remain free from the clutches of politicians and other interest groups.
GPA’s 2018 Statement for reference
The Guyana Press Association notes the continued intimidation of media workers who attend press conferences held by A Partnership for National Unity at Congress Place in Sophia.
Media Workers have complained about the continued heckling and intimidation by supporters of the Party who are seated in the press conference held by the Party.
We can only assume that this behaviour is a feature endorsed by the Party and its leaders since it happened during today’s event with PNC Chairperson Volda Lawrence and senior APNU members and the Party’s last press conference held by PNC Leader, President David Granger.
The GPA would like to remind all political parties that media workers have the right to conduct their duties without fear of intimidation and we would not hesitate to call on our workers and media houses to boycott press events if this unacceptable behaviour continues.
