The Chronicle should be privatised

Dear Editor,

I welcome President David Granger’s views on the future of the state media in Guyana,  especially when he states that the state media should not be in competition with the private media and as such, the Guyana Chronicle should revert to private ownership.

Let me take this opportunity to point out that it is not only a free media that is important to democracy. This free media should also be impartial in reporting the news. That is, they should hold both the government and opposition accountable.

Sadly, this is currently lacking in Guyana with some media houses seemingly wanting to support the government and some media houses seemingly wanting to support the opposition.

Attitudinal and behavioural changes take time. Or, old habits die hard, if you prefer. This is why it is important for President Granger to act decisively and immediately privatise the Guyana Chronicle. I do understand his point of view that the media is in a transitional phase.

The media need to get their house in order by holding regular briefings to sensitize their reporters on the importance of being impartial and on their responsibility of holding both the government and opposition accountable.

Yours faithfully,

Sean Ori