Dear Editor,
I would like to thank SN for the publication of my letters over the years and point out that SN remains as the bastion of press freedom in our country with a history of being fair and responsible in its approach to the political, cultural and economic spheres of our daily lives; newsprint has long been a source of vital information for the Guyanese public and SN should be proud of itself.
God bless the late Mr. David deCaires for his dedication, courage and commitment to the people of Guyana in his quest for a free press and his pioneer efforts in protecting and enhancing the rights of all Guyanese to be heard……. the basis for a real democracy. Mr. De Caires was a true patriot of Guyana because in the final analysis, protecting and promulgating press freedom , the embryo of a true democracy, is infinitesimally greater than any macro- or micro- economic endeavour or any political party’s narrow view of progress. The current state of affairs in the Arab world proves this point. I would strongly urge this government to honour, with the highest award that this nation can bestow, Mr. deCaires, for his contribution to democracy in Guyana, the most fundamental guarantee of progress and development for any country.
Editor, a medal is not the only criteria in honouring those who dedicated their lives to a better Guyana. That is why I am asking this government to open up the state owned media to all the opposition of credibility, like PNCR’s Mr.Granger or AFC’s Ramjattan, so that the citizens of Linden, Bartica and elsewhere can listen to all the differing opinions , all in a peaceful environment. Mr. Government, open up the Chronicle to opposition views and let credible entrepreneurs have radio licences to broadcast to our citizens ; allow free air time to all opposition parties on your radio station, the only one in the country.
And please allow Mr.Sharma licences to broadcast Channel 6 to every single part of Guyana.
Editor, you probably would have known Mr.deCaires much better than me, but I sensed , in my encounters with him, that he would have been more interested in seeing a cessation of government interference in the realm of what press freedom really means , rather than a medal to mark his contribution. I hope and pray that both can be accomplished in the near future.
Yours faithfully,
Cheddi (Joey) Jagan (Jr.)
