The government through its Department of Public Information (DPI) this evening rejected accusations from the Guyana Press Association that it was interfering in the state media.
A statement from the DPI follows:
The Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana notes reports in the media relating to a letter sent by the Guyana Press Association to His Excellency, President David Granger raising four concerns:
1. Hosting of a weekly “propaganda” caucus by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo with state media and GINA.
2. “Numerous instances” of DPI seeking to “dictate content”.
3. Ministers “complaining” of inadequate coverage in state media.
4. State media boards being “deeply involved in making editorial decisions”.
The Government of Guyana strongly refutes that the state media personnel are intimidated during the Prime Minister’s weekly meetings. The Office of the Prime Minister has received no complaints from the Board of Directors or management of any state media entity of intimidation or interference. No member of the Guyana Press Association attending these meetings has made any objections.
The periodic meetings with state media heads focus on:
(i) coordination of schedule of Government events and coverage of same, a practice in place since 1992.
(ii) clarification of information regarding government’s policy on a number of matters.
State media attendees have all commented on the usefulness of the engagements.
Reactions by officials noting positive, negative, limited or one-sided coverage of government business in the media – both state and private – is routine. It is not interference to want better and more dissemination of news.
The Government is baffled by the stance of the Guyana Press Association to write to the Head of State to politically intervene in matters that ought to have been raised with the competent Board of Directors of the respective state media entities. It is competent for the GPA to advise its members to act professionally and to defend standards of journalism but it is another matter for the GPA to call on the Executive to ‘manners’ his ministers on unsubstantiated allegations.
The Guyana Government reaffirms its commitment to an open, free and plural media. It is indeed refreshing to witness the re-introduction, in state media, of positive coverage of opposition views and activities and access to the state media by persons who are routinely critical of Government. Press freedom is alive and well in Guyana!
