Those attacks against journalists

This publication notes with great concern the fact that attacks and acts of intimidation against journalists appear to be increasing. Village Voice News views this situation as totally unacceptable, and condemns such acts in the strongest of terms.

Guyanese will recall that in the previous iteration of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government, then president, Bharrat Jagdeo and other PPP officials, had openly exhibited hostility towards some sections of the media. Mr. Jagdeo had referred to some journalists as vultures and carrion crows. Now, being vice president, Mr. Jagdeo appears to have taken up where he left off. He routinely abuses, insults, and intimidates members of the media fraternity.

A more alarming development may be the situation that was orchestrated by the PPP regime at Leonora on March 31.

On that occasion, the physical safety of media personnel was unquestionably endangered. The event was a press conference hosted by the Head of State, President Irfaan Ali himself. His Excellency – and his advisors – must have known that independent journalists would ask hard questions of which PPP supporters would not approve. Yet, the president allowed his supporters to be physically close to those journalists during the session.

Most recently, on what one hopes was an isolated occasion, an APNU official used expletives against a reporter affiliated with the state-owned Guyana Chronicle. Although the official later apologised, it is the position of this publication that the action of the APNU official did nothing to elevate the image of herself or the political party that she represents.

Noteworthy, too, is the fact that many media personnel who have suffered are female.

With reference to the onslaughts from officials of the PPP, one notes that there is a predominant pattern of abuse against the independent media houses and their workers. One is left to wonder if hostility directed against those entities and their staff is a result of an undeclared PPP policy.

The PPP regime needs to acknowledge and internalise a few facts.

A free and independent press is an integral part of a democratic system of governance. Representatives of the media must be and feel free from the possibility of trauma that is the inevitable result of verbal assault. Journalists doing their job in an ethical and professional manner should not have to be worried about being placed in dangerous situations by politicians.

As things are, Guyana’s media landscape is less than free and independent. This indisputable fact brings Guyana’s democratic credentials into question. It raises questions about the PPP’s administration’s commitment to good governance. António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations said that “Without a free press, democracy cannot survive. Without freedom of expression, there is no freedom. Let us join forces to secure freedom and protect the rights of all people, everywhere.” This publication agrees with the Secretary-General.

To say that the current state of affairs is unfortunate, is an understatement. Sadly, instead of consolidating our fragile democracy, the PPP regime appears to be driving our country in the direction of tyranny. Guyana cannot continue on its present course.

The PPP government must be cognisant, too, that the eyes of the whole world are on this country. The discovery of massive oil resources has placed Guyana at the forefront of global attention. With this in mind, politicians and officials should think carefully before doing or saying anything at all. In particular, any act which may bring embarrassment or disrepute to our country must simply not be committed.

This publication stands, without equivocation, with members of the media fraternity. Journalists and other media workers must be and feel safe. Acts of intimidation and disrespect by political actors must stop.

Village Voice News calls on officials of the PPP regime to change its course, and allow the press to do its job without fear. Further, the PPP should formulate and enact a code of conduct to guide the behavior of its officials. The previous APNU+AFC administration had formulated a code of conduct before it came to office in 2015. It is astonishing that after all this time, the PPP has no comparable document.