This policy statement appeared in the first edition of the newspaper on November 21, 1985
A newspaper represents the interests, outlook (and prejudices) of those who own and control it. However, the debate begins, rather than ends, with this assumption. For how those persons perceive themselves and their paper is not pre-ordained. The vast difference in standards and styles between papers of similar political outlook in the West, and closer home in the Caribbean, testifies to that fact.
David de Caires
Whether a newspaper is balanced and tolerant or scurrilous and aggressive in its approach to events and people “in the news”, whether it presents news as objectively as possible or attempts to shove its opinions down the readers’ throat by printing comment as news, whether, indeed it has any respect for the truth at all, are matters that depend on people, not ideologies or economic systems.
We believe that there is both a need and room for an independent newspaper in Guyana, which submits itself to the rigour of professional standards of joumahsm. By “independent” we do not mean free of any perception of the interests and opinions of its owners. No paper is, or ever will be, so “free”. We mean free of direction by any outside institution.
After twenty years of independence, we have learnt that a democratic society does not spring full blown from a written constitution, especially one inherited in more or less standard form. A constitution may enhance a democratic culture but cannot create one. The real building blocks of democracy are independent institutions which express themselves openly and operate freely. These groups include political parties, trade unions, business associations, religious bodies and an independent press and radio. We believe in and will work for a free and open society in which the rule of law prevails. We believe that an independent and responsible newspaper can make an important contribution to the political and cultural life of a society and can accustom people to thinking for themselves and forming their own opinions.
In the last year, there has been a definite liberalisation of media policy under President Hoyte as evidenced by the grant of licences to opposition parties and the Catholic Standard to import presses even though no foreign exchange has been made available for such presses or for newsprint. In his well-known interview with Mr Ken Gordon, the managing director of the Trinidad Express, in February this year the President had said “there is nothing in our laws to prevent Guyanese from forming a company and running a newspaper. There is nothing that prevents that”. It is partly that statement that created the impetus for this venture.
We will be guided by the traditional principles of good journalism and will make every effort to get the relevant facts and check both sides of a story before publishing. Where interviews are refused, we will say so. We have no ties with and will not automatically support or oppose any political party or other social group. We will approach each national issue as objectively as possible.
David de Caires walking to join the Stabroek News picket about the withholding of state ads from the newspaper outside the International Conference Centre at Liliendaal, where the Commonwealth Finance Ministers were meeting, October 15, 2007
We do not see ourselves as crusaders except perhaps for the cause of a free and independent press and a strong and self-confident citizenry. Because the role of the press is essentially to investigate, inform and analyse, however, and because of the difficult conditions that now prevail, it is likely that we will on many occasions perform a critical function and will often have to adopt an adversarial role. So be it. Nevertheless, our underlying objective will at all times be to be constructive and to point to viable alternatives where possible.
The situation in Guyana is complex and there are no easy solutions. Certainly, we do not have one. We hope to encourage sober dialogue and the development of a sensible debate on the economy. The economic situation is at present so desperate as to make this an absolute priority.
The economy is dominated by the state sector. The record of production is not encouraging and management resources are stretched very thin. We feel that the emphasis now should be on private sector development and on the dismantling of that part of the overgrown bureaucracy which inhibits the development of new industries by businessmen.
We see ourselves as regionalists but feel that Caricom has never transcended a colonial and bureaucratic perspective. Regional leaders pay lip service to it and have treated it as a limited opportunity for trade but the whole question of regional integration and its practicality in terms of distance between the territories and lack of communication remains to be seriously examined, and placed once more on the agenda in the light of recent developments. In principle, we support the regional idea and its strengthening by institutions such as a Caribbean Economic Commission and a Caribbean Court of Appeal.
We do not intend to publish a highbrow newspaper for a limited readership. Our aim will be to write simply and clearly and to cater for all tastes. Nor do we wish to be seen as too solemn. In our opinion, it is an important function of a newspaper to entertain and to cater for as many interests as possible. With this in mind, we hope to spread our net widely.
Given the foreign exchange constraints under which we are operating and our method; of production – our paper is printed in Trinidad – we will have an artificially early deadline and it will not always be possible for us to cover last-minute developments. We will do our best to overcome this problem. Eventually, we hope to acquire our own press and to graduate to a daily newspaper printed and published here. We have had to raise bridging finance to pay the Express for printing and would like to acknowledge our gratitude to the National Endowment for Democracy, a Washington-based institute, which has provided the funds through the Institute of North-South Issues.
Finally, we wish to thank the Caribbean Press and their regional institution, the CPBA for their encouragement and in particular Mr Ken Gordon, the managing director of the Trinidad Express, without whose continued support we would not have got off the ground.
Mr. de Caires was certainly a man of principle and vision whom I believe fore saw the day when it would be necessary to remind all who not only read, but also submit input to the Stabroek News, of the intent and purpose of his newspaper. Now that this has been reproduced in a very easy-to-read format for the benefit of all, I sincerely hope that the proper respect will be given to SN and its staff for fulfilling the mandate that has been passed on to them and the effort that is put into providing the daily news to those who wish to be informed.
Read SN if you think that you must, refrain from doing so if you feel that you disagree with their aim and purpose, comment if you will but remember that the choice to read or not to read is yours.
Thanks SN for keeping me honest by editing my input when you feel compelled to do so, and for allowing me the privilidge of reading your on-line daily for free.
Keep up the good work.
The day will come when SN will become very selective in who offer their views in it print mark my word…..technology has change the way we communicate and soon you may not see SN as a paper in hard copy but you will see it in syber 24/7 with its staff members spread all over the world reporting in electronic style and meeting once a month.
This paper readership has change and it has taken control of Guyanese all over the world because our views have change the way the paper does business with the outside world.
Through this paper is the only way I keep in touch with my Guyanese brothers and sisters to exchange my views.
David de Caires will be missed. Sadly, his newspaper is slowly being morphed to mirror the closeted PPP values of his Editor, Anand Persaud.
Oh my God…a year has passed since Mr David de Caires died?????????
I don’t believe it!! Time just flying!!
Speaking about death…last night I had a dream and i remembered it most vividly as though it was real because I actually dreamt it this morning just before I woke…the dream was about a young boy probably between 8 – 10 years old who had drowned in the Republic Avenue canal. He was supposed to be the son of one of my friends who was well known in Georgetown…anyway at the funeral for the boy there were many mourners who came to pay their last respect…when I arrived at the church I noticed the casket and the lad lying there wearing a white shirt, a black tie and a black pants…I went over to a table and rest a card which I had brought as tears came to my eyes when I saw the boy. I went and took a seat and began to sing along with those who were there…After a few minutes singing and rejoicing we heard a loud crack and it was then I saw a miracle that would only be outclassed by the miracles that would soon follow….the casket BROKE and the boy’s body was lying on the table where the casket was and his body was in a position where it looked like he was sleeping and had just turned n a different position….the singing and praising continues until someone who was sitting close to me who was over-whelmed with grief picked up the remains of the boy and held him while singing…At this time I knew something special was going to happen so so I continue to look at the eyes of the boy with hope…then it happened…his eyes began to move slowly and then they open…he was alive again!!!
With all the evil and bad things that is happening in the world and Guyana..I asked myself this question when I woke…”Will anything so sacred ever happen in this country/world again since we are so separated and filled with hate and evilness”??
R.I.P David
Congratulations to Stabroek News on its milestone! Except for the recent Kissoon-Muniram personality-based exchange that dug up Kissoon’s 39 year old record of taking or stealing several library books, I have to say that SN has done a remarkable job in bringing us information the PNC, and later the PPP, regime tried to hide from the people. This Internet version with a ‘Reader Comment’ blog has aso provided a forum for readers from almost anywhere to react and interact on the issues in the newspaper. KN may one day resume this feature, but I doubt whether Chronicle will ever risk going this route, unless it will allow only blogs that praise the PPP and government. Keep up the good work!
The article was a reprint of the policy statement of Novenber 21, 1985. How could they thank the readers they did not have as yet.
SN you forgot one thing…you did not thank your readers.
I noticed that too, but still Mr. de Caries was indeed a pioneer in his field, who through his contribution(s) has earned his place in Guyanese history, God bless the dead.
Guyanese media history
So it was under the PNC Stabroek News was born??!!! Press Freedom under the PNC? The distortionist would not like this. Now Stabroek practice what you preach in the Policy Statement. Resist the temptations to edit comments for some and allow some to say anything because they have said it over and over again for many years…Happy birthday!
That the Stabroek News moderators get lambasted and accused of BIAS daily by supporters of the three main political parties is enough proof that the spirit of Mr David de Caires lives on shining a light to all Guyanese, both home and abroad.
With the general election coming up, there will be many nasty accusations made however there can only be ONE MORAL ROADMAP and that is the moral backbone which Mr de Cares, that brilliant Guyanese patriot, instilled and bequeathed to Stabroek News.
Keep up the good work all at Stabroek News. You are doing an essential job.
We may love to hate you but we love you MORE THAN THAT.
Congratulations to Stabroeknews for keeping the diaspora informed of the happenings in our seemingly cursed homeland. When we want the closest thing to the unvarnished truth, we confidently consult your pages and know we’ll find news that our children and grandchildren would also find fit to read. We know your pictures would be tasteful and lack the aura of sensationalism. I’m totally addicted to daily readings and would seek no treatment to cure this habit. You are a good representative as the fourth branch of government. Continue to tell it as you see it and resist all efforts of the Robb Street bullies to silence your views when they do not confirm to their liking.
Nov 21 1985 looks like just the other day. That was 8 days after I began teaching. Wonder when SN’s online archives will come out. Wasn’t that one of Mr deCaires’s dreams, Moderator? A bit of history now.
I left G/T and its environs some ‘dankey’ years ago and was completely out of touch with the happenings of the local front until a friend told my that I can read about 20/20 cricket online in the Stabroek News.
It was cricket info that brought me to Stabroek News, but yhanks anyway. By the way Anand, this comments section is a winner hands down, never mind the abuse from some ‘rank unablers’ especially some bloggers in Barbados, who think that Stabroek News should be the mouth piece of the MIRROR and the Chronicle. Thanks for