Toolbox

Gordon Moseley ban

Jagdeo says press body like the ‘new opposition in Guyana’

President Bharrat Jagdeo says the Guyana Press Association (GPA) is like the “new opposition in Guyana” following its protest actions against the ban imposed on Capitol News journalist Gordon Moseley.

The President’s words have since attracted the ire of the association which has now withdrawn from the Crime Stoppers Board of Directors in which it had been invited by the government to participate.

The association in a release on Thursday night after the airing of the president’s comment on NCN Channel 11 said that any future engagement with the Crime Stoppers group would be subject to a review of the existing media climate.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) release the president in an interview on NCN on Thursday said he did not have much time to waste on comments being made by Caribbean and local media persons on the banning of the journalist and he was adamant “that some reporters are totally biased against the Government.”
The move to ban Moseley has been strongly criticised by regional and international journalists, including the Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM) and Reporters Without Borders.

Following the ban, which was made known to Moseley on Monday last, the association issued a statement condemning the move and wrote to President Jagdeo offering to mediate the issue. The association also staged protest actions which saw reporters walking out of a press briefing at the Ministry of Home Affairs and walking out of parliament as Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh rose to address the House. The reporters also wore red arm bands at parliament as a sign of protest.

“We have a press association that has demonstrated its bias against the Government on numerous occasions. In fact, it is even more hostile to the Government than the opposition party. It is like the new opposition in Guyana and they consistently mislead the international community. They did this on several occasions,” GINA quoted the president as saying.

“I don’t have time to waste on people like Gordon Moseley. Access to this office is a privilege and I will extend that privilege to ordinary people, not to some people who, regardless of what you do, only see the negatives and they’re looking for the next story,” the president further said.

However, the association asserted that since the president’s personal efforts, in the face of mounting local, regional and international pressure and outcries, have been rebuffed he is now seeking to cover his failure by discrediting the intensifying protest action.

Falsehoods
The association charged that GINA, “acting on political commands has resorted to a propaganda attack of falsehoods against the GPA after two days of telephone appeals to a number of members of the media for Mr. Moseley to write `a few lines’ clarifying what he meant in his letter by `fed up’ or to issue an apology.” The association said that President Jagdeo on Wednesday contacted the President of the GPA, Denis Chabrol on the matter, “who is now being labelled an Opposition Force because the president’s actions have not borne fruit. Being unable to crush the protest actions by media workers, GINA has resorted to attacking the messengers of the successful clarion call.” “We shall not flinch one inch!! The existing doors of opportunity that the GPA had left open in its statement issued on Wednesday for a possible rapprochement that could have led to a serious and sober discourse on relations between the state and the media have now been shut as a result of the GINA statement,” the association said.

The association also called on its members and supporters not to be intimidated by the “utterances associated with the government and, instead, gird our loins for the long haul.”
The association labelled the utterances included in the GINA release as being “wicked and malicious”, adding that the “baseless fabrication is an attempt to discredit our protest action that has been forcing several cancellations of ministerial and other engagements with the media.”

“Rather than devote their time and energy to concoct an excuse for banning journalist Gordon Moseley, President Bharrat Jagdeo would be better off lifting the ban unconditionally,” the association declared.

In the GINA release the president said that he has had meetings with ordinary people, mentioning Thursday’s meeting with the religious leaders in Buxton and the Foulis Housing Co-op Society, adding that those are the people who will have the privilege of visiting his office.

Privilege
“They have more right, not so much of a privilege… what we have in this country is a syndrome where many very powerful people in our society ‘suck-up’ to reporters because they’re afraid of bad press. They call them and they treat them well… I don’t care whether Gordon Moseley or others write bad things about me, once it’s objective, it’s fine and even if it’s not objective, I don’t pay too much attention to it,” the head of state said.

“I have to meet with ordinary people to try and solve their problems. I am not going to ‘suck-up to this group of people, so nothing that we do in this Government, the PPP Government or I do, will find a favourable voice in some of these reporters. They’re hostile. They see themselves as anti-government media and they will try to make a story out of even the most positive thing,” President Jagdeo said.

“Mr. Jagdeo, who is well-known for his botched and blemished history of transgressions against the media and media operatives, in the state and private sector cannot easily escape the sad reality that those political actions of his warrant the strongest response. We agree that media workers are opposing forces in response to his actions against the media. Does the president expect media workers in this country not to oppose his actions that date back to when he was Finance Minister?” the association queried. Meanwhile, in a release Press and Publicity Officer at OP, Kwame Mc Coy singled out Chabrol as the one from whose bosom “inexorable hatred” emanates. He said that it is common and customary practice for the GPA to “selectively distort, mislead and fabricate stories even at the expense of further tarnishing the image and reputation of the association.” He said Chabrol should strive “to be objective and stop masquerading around promoting anti-government sentiments.”

In a comment on the situation yesterday afternoon, Stabroek News (SN) Editor Anand Persaud condemned the attacks by President Jagdeo and GINA on Chabrol and the press association. Persaud said the banning of Moseley by GINA was completely unwarranted and wholly unjustified. The SN Editor said that Chabrol and the press association are defending the profession from the kind of attack which could be used arbitrarily by the government against other practitioners if not nipped in the bud. Persaud added that President Jagdeo’s likening of the GPA to the opposition was most regrettable and said the controversy could best be ended by the lifting of the ban on Moseley. Moseley was first told he was banned from Office of the President and State House by a security guard at OP when he turned up for an assignment last Monday. He later received a letter signed by Head of the Government Information Agency (GINA) Neaz Subhan stating that the administration of GINA had withdrawn his accreditation to OP and State House with immediate effect. The letter said that though other employees of Capitol News would not be similarly prohibited, GINA would be “inclined to review the decision providing that you issue an apology in relation to the disparaging and disrespectful remarks couched in your letter to the press.”

Moseley has since refused to apologise saying that he would not allow anyone to “waste his time.” He has also questioned what accreditation GINA was withdrawing since no accreditation had ever been given to him or any other media worker for OP and State House. The only accreditation GINA has issued to the media is a press pass that gives journalists permission to go past police cordons.

Comments

About Comments

We thank all readers who have contributed to this site since its relaunch. This section of the website is intended to provide a forum for reasoned and reasonable debate on the newspaper's content and we hope that readers make full use of it as many have already done.

The comments section is an extension of the newspaper and what it has become well known for over its history: accuracy, balance and fairness.
In recent weeks a large proportion of the comments posted have contained attacks on other users, slander, coarse language and profanity. Comments of these types will be deleted.
Comments which contain gratuitous and incendiary references to race and ethnicity will be struck.
We reserve the right to edit/delete comments for length, any libel and taste. We moderate all comments so be patient while your message waits to be approved.
Curious about the little images next to each commenter's name ? Go here and sign up using the same email address you used to register for Stabroeknews.com then upload your image and confirm it.

31 Responses to “Gordon Moseley ban”

mercigar
on July 19th, 2008 6:57 am

Did some philosopher say, “POWER CORRUPTS, AND ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY”?…ooooooH! I have seen ‘Bad Men’ who oppress, exploit, and demean their poor subjects become faint-hearted and defenceless when the table turns.

[Reply to this]
mercigar
on July 19th, 2008 7:08 am

Ever read Forbes Burnham ERA? These are pages from that period. So the thought is THEY did it, so why cant WE do it too. The Guyanese nation is faced with a second dose of TYRANNY (Just to make things even). Heaven help!

[Reply to this]
darcman
on July 19th, 2008 7:34 am

More often than not the President of Guyana seems to have more and more problems with Journalist and media houses. it is a very scary thing to imagine, being the reality it is, is much more terrifiying. As if he is try to put fear in the media house and Journalist to sub the truth because it may hurt or open the eyes of the citizens. Here in trinidad that pattern is not seen. In America where Journalist are free to do their stories even if the truth may offend anyone. The truth must come out.

[Reply to this]
gtbeat
In reply to the above comment on July 19th, 2008 2:53 pm:
American jourmalist are also known to distort the truth, remember Dan Rather,so that is poor choice of credible reporting.

[Reply to this]
Carl
on July 19th, 2008 9:46 am

Neither Gordon Mosley nor the GPA should apologize to Bharrat Jagdeo, the self-appointed LORD of Guyana. Yes, I support them in their blasphemy against Guyana’s new LORD.

I can’t believe what’s going on.

These temporary rulers somehow believe that they must not be criticized, must not be questioned, must not be called to account, or must not be challenged when they crticize anyone. Nonsense!!! Balderdash!!! Balderdash!!!

The media and citizens reserve the right to scale Roraima and Pakaraima mountains and publish the shortcomings and misdeeds of our government with a force and conviction that resonate like the thunderous sound that emanates from Kaieteur Falls in full flow.

That’s right. And no veil threats, no name-calling, no bombastic statements, no subterfuge, or no arrogation on the part of Bharrat Jagdeo and his government will change the resolve of every Guyanese to claim their rightful place as masters over Bharrat Jagdeo and his government.

Don’t bend, media.

[Reply to this]
champion
In reply to the above comment on July 19th, 2008 2:45 pm:
Boy Carl and my other sensable and wise GT friends,this government is displaying DICTATORSHIP ON STEROIDS and why can’t they stop whining and throwing temper tantrums like a four year old kid, when someone say something that is not in there favor.Hell get on with what matters to my people lives and stop whining like a little girl.
It is a pity they way they are trying to keep the masses down and dumb, but again the media is the voice of our people and you guys keep the pressure on and continue to educate our people we all will reap the fruit of your labour soon.
Keep it up we are 100% behind you guys.

[Reply to this]
Ricardo
In reply to the above comment on July 19th, 2008 5:59 pm:
Excellent! Excellent! I do agree with you 1000 times over.
When there are reporters without backbones there is ignorance to the ills of society. Mr. Jagdeo and his government wants all to believe that all things are bright and beautiful when indeed they are not.

“Come on reporters, Report the truth cost it what it will”

[Reply to this]
Mauby
In reply to the above comment on July 19th, 2008 6:07 pm:
Ha ha haaah;
President Jagdeo and his Government Ministers must keep up the pressure on GPA, up hold the ban, and let us read every day reports from some quarters of the press; story on

“How the media today, walked out of a meeting that was chaired by Minister X of government or briefing by some important person.”

This of course will continue over and over every day of the week, while the President and Government continue to develop Guyana.

[Reply to this]
saq1122
on July 19th, 2008 9:47 am

The President is absolutely correct. What we have to remember is that some people like the managing Editor and his cohorts at Capital News had very cushy jobs under the PNC. As such those media outlets are nothing but an anti government force masquerading as journalist. They have no idea about fair and impartial reporting. My advise to the government is to keep the ban in place, those media outlet needs access to government officials for information more than the government needs them. As such the government should use the state owned media more and other fair media houses to inform the public about new developments in the Country which will result in an increase circulation for those sources.

[Reply to this]
Carl
In reply to the above comment on July 19th, 2008 12:46 pm:
History shows that Bharrat Jagdeo’s misuse of power will never triumph over truth and justice. In 2011 he’ll be gone and his rule will ultimately be remembered as a disgusting footnote in our nation’s history.

There is no doubt in my mind that the phrase ” Remember Bharrat Jagdeo” will be etched in Guyanese vernacular as a caution against arrogance by our political leaders.

I can’t wait to see what tune Bharrat Jagdeo will be singing in 2012.

[Reply to this]
gtbeat
In reply to the above comment on July 19th, 2008 5:11 pm:
That is how democracy works, he will be gone in 2011 so will George W. in 2009 so there is no need for all these intemperate comments.

That is beauty of living in a democracy that was ushered in 1992, gone are the days of hoplessness for the Guyanese electorate.

gtbeat
In reply to the above comment on July 19th, 2008 2:55 pm:
Finally someone who has 20/20 vision,the others need to read your post.

[Reply to this]
owenon123
In reply to the above comment on July 19th, 2008 3:38 pm:
OH, STOP TALKING NONSENSE MISTER, THE GOV’T NEEDS CREDITABLE PUBLICITY FROM THESE REPUTABLE MEDIA HOUSES. WHAT DID YOU SAY CHRONICLE? FORGET IT AND DEAD IT DO YOU THINK GUYANESE AND THE WORLD ARE READING FROM THAT TRASH. READING THE GUYANA CHRONICLE IS LIKE THE GOV’T GIVING THEM DICTATION WHAT TO WRITE.

THE MEDIA WALKOUT OF PARLIAMENT AND THE PRESS BRIEFING AT THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS ALREADY HURTING THE GOV’T, KEEP THE PRESSURE ON. “ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS,” IN ADDITION, “UNITED WE STAND AND DIVIDED WE FALL.” STICK TOGETHER LIKE CLUE AND SHOW THEM THAN Y’ALL GOT POWER. YEA THAT’S RIGHT POWER TO THE PEOPLE.

TO ALL OPPRESSORS GET OUTTA HERE! “FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION” THIS IS THE 21st CENTURY IT IS A NEW ERA. PUT THE PAST BEHIND US AND LETS US MOVE ON FOR A NEW AND BRIGHTER TOMORROW.

[Reply to this]
champion
In reply to the above comment on July 19th, 2008 7:15 pm:
Yes my friend, you right this Government could only deal with yes boss and no boss, how high to jump boss and when to go and come boss…….ahhhhh is the Chronicle I am talking about……..oh by the way tell the Chronicle to report on the Roger Khan stay in the US…….they crazy do that….someone will be looking for a new job with a real Media house.
What a arrogant government and followers we have to deal with. Do they know what is truth?
When they mess up the people must know…..stop sounding bitter.

[Reply to this]
La vie est bonne!
on July 19th, 2008 10:26 am

One of the questions Jagdeo should be asked is - does he ever see the US President, UK Prime Minister or Canadian Prime Minister cuss out anyone in a public forum!!

[Reply to this]
champion
In reply to the above comment on July 19th, 2008 2:54 pm:
Let me say it like this…..he is trying to play the Mugabe game (only God could take him out) and no one has the right to question, but boy he will be getting a rude wake up call very soon, just continue with this bigheaded ways Ha Ha we will soon get the last laught. # 2 he cannot face critics without cussing he ent know better.

[Reply to this]
gtbeat
In reply to the above comment on July 19th, 2008 2:57 pm:
No, but I have seen the American Pesident boycott questions from some media representatives.

[Reply to this]
La vie est bonne!
In reply to the above comment on July 20th, 2008 11:51 am:
You may be living in the US but you have no idea of amerian politics.
You should of stayed and live under this regme for surely you do enjoy their shenanigans.
A380100
on July 19th, 2008 10:53 am

It appears as if Mr. Jagdeo is out of control. If the Government was doing a stellar job then there would be no need to report any negatives. In a free country you cannot make people think what you want them to think.

It appears that Guyana is reverting to a communist state, or at the least a dictatorship.

[Reply to this]
gtbeat
In reply to the above comment on July 19th, 2008 3:00 pm:
It is not an issue of reporting negatives,it is an issue of reporting the truth, not trying to sensationalise, there is is a major difference between the two.

[Reply to this]
A380100
In reply to the above comment on July 21st, 2008 1:36 am:
In every media in every country there is sensationalism. Sensationalism can also be the truth, but told in a manner to get readership. I am aware of the difference.

If you read what Mr. Jagdeo says you will see he used the word ‘negatives’.
Amarie
on July 19th, 2008 11:32 am

You really have to wonder what things are coming to in Guyana when the president declares that access to office that the citizens put him in is a privilege. The GPA is a professional organization with the burden of bringing the news from the OP whether it’s good or bad. What the president seems to be saying is that no negative news should be reported or highlighted and the bearer of such news will face his wrath. Where is the democracy in that?

[Reply to this]
cochore
on July 19th, 2008 11:35 am

Do you mean to tell me that this Gov’t and media dust-up is about the meaning of two words “fed up”?…. Well!.. I’m already ‘fed up’ just listening to this petty and silly nonsense. I could’ve sworn that Jagdeo as President of Guyana would be a calming voice on this controversy, but instead it appears that he throwing more gasoline on the raging fire. Please remember Mr PRESIDENT that you are the elected leader for all of the people of Guyana even the ones you detest the most.

[Reply to this]
Adelene Stephenson
on July 19th, 2008 12:52 pm

From my perspective, the journalists in Guyana have created their own problems. They seem incapable of separating objective, factual reporting from their personal political biases. Readers know when a journalist’s work is objective, factual, and an honest effort to keep the people informed and aimed at unging the government to take some corrective action. They, and the government, are also aware when a journalist is using his/her profession as a cloak for vitriolic attacks on an administration he/she does not like or support. Over the long term, this journalist is stereotyped - a government/administrator hater. Everything he or she writes will be seen through this spectrum. Once the professional integrity of journalists becomes questionable, it is difficult for any government to embrace the democratic idea that a journalist may criticize the government, oppose its policies, and work for the removal of the individuals in power yet still be loyal to the nation. In other words, if journalists establish their professional integrity “early in the game”, they remove the grounds for possible sanctions by the government. The journalist who writes like a political propagandist will be treated like one.

[Reply to this]
vatvic
on July 19th, 2008 2:37 pm

With the words “…a press association that has demonstrated its bias against the Government… ” The Commander -in Chief has confirmed that the GPA is now besieged, and the results must favour Him.
Freedom of expression will now be systematically starved in Guyana, the ultimate prize being the submission of the GPA, the lone defender of democratic rights in Guyana, to the ruling communist party.
Mark well this day, the comments by GINA, and know that If the Fort that is the GPA were to fall to the besieging Undemocratic Hordes. Not even Bloggers will be safe in Guyana.
This is a serious time in Guyana more serious than the crime, more serious than Oliver, CNS 6, SN ads, the 8 dead miners, more serious than Roger Khan. Now is the manifestation of anti-freedom, in Guyana. i.e., the right to live by favoritism or be beaten down by aversion.

[Reply to this]
Arcadia Terry
on July 19th, 2008 2:56 pm

Recently the President is getting angry about almost everything , is it because the Funding of a lot of projects the administration was enjoying over the past years is drying up ? they were a lot projects done by the PPP administration that was paid for by donor nations money he no longer have access to i guess is time to blame the media for everything but that will not solve the many problems of the country The international community is also watching especialy donor nations , Mr President the media is very powerful in this world they can help you and hurt you just as bad you started with Mr Sharma now Gordon Mosley not a wise decission time will tell if you are wrong to do so.

[Reply to this]
gtbeat
In reply to the above comment on July 19th, 2008 11:12 pm:
Only the PNC could not account for funds they received donor agencies,and it was turned off.

[Reply to this]
La vie est bonne!
In reply to the above comment on July 21st, 2008 8:55 am:
O!!! spare us your sanctimonious PPP rhetoric.
Stop living in the past about PNC. Many bloggers here never cared for the PNC. However, they are savvy and intelligent enough to know that this regime is worse than it’s predecessor. Get real…
Ricardo
on July 19th, 2008 5:45 pm

Just for verbatim reporting a reporter is banned from state house.
The President cannot sue him for libel as Mr. Moseley reported the facts so why should he apologize. The President and Government needs to apologize for the unimaginable taxes levied against the people of Guyana.
Once you speak against the Government of Guyana you are branded “ENEMY OF THE STATE”

[Reply to this]
ankoko
on July 19th, 2008 6:42 pm

I wonder why everytime something is not to Jagdeo’s approval it is that he ‘doesn’t have any time to waste’ with it? While I do agree that there is bias in the media it is because that is the natyre of the beast!. Journalists are people too and they have their personal opinions which they have to balance with the public’s right to the news. That is not only endemic to Guyana but to the world.
The BIG problem here is that Jagdeo is too ‘thinskinned’ to be a public figure. He needs to stop being angry at everything and everyone who doesn’t agree with him and understand that he only destroys whatever bit of imagery he has left every time he acts like a….’cuss out)………..blackguard. He needs to stop cussing out and attacking people and do what his job title calls for. Public figures will always be either praised or castigated in the media depending on the issue and their stance/action. There is no escape from that but to not be a public figure.
I noted an earlier blog referring to Dan Rather not reporting correctly. That issue is still in the US Courts and Rather has won quite a number of ’rounds’ so far. Obviously the attack om Rather was orchestrated by people in the media business with the clout to do it in that society. At the end of the day Rather was only reporting the news that the President of the US did not do military Service as claimed. So far no one has sshown any info that he did serve………(figure it out)
In the meantime I support the media’s right to report on any and all newsworthy items to the Guyanese and world public. THIS ASSAULT ON FREEDOM OF SPEECH MUST STOP!!!!!!

[Reply to this]
krazydog
on July 20th, 2008 1:53 am

How interesting. The H.E Jagdeo states: “what we have in this country is a syndrome where many very powerful people in our society ‘suck-up’ to reporters because they’re afraid of bad press”

How ironic! I wonder if H.E meant for it to be the other way around: “Reporters should ’suck up’.

[Reply to this]