Dear Editor,
The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has taken umbrage to the fact that its press releases and letters, that most often are critical of the Government, are never carried by the Chronicle, the State owned and obviously controlled media. It should be noted that as a newspaper disseminating information to the public at large, balanced reportage is important to the opinion of the masses and the determination of the truth.
A failure to carry all sides, even though some may be critical of the Government, is a deliberate act of censoring what the public must or must not know. In fact, the Chronicle newspaper, rather than being independent and professional, has become nothing more than biased and partial and exhibits its role as a mouthpiece of Government or a disseminator of Government propaganda.
The Guyana Chronicle competes with the various media houses for news, advertisement, etc., while providing information to the masses on topical issues, but it does not subscribe to publishing opinions that are critical of Government.
In a democracy, the media has a monitorial role and is responsible for reporting threats, whether these are political, social or economic, but more importantly it should shed light to public opinion. The information published by the media enable individuals to make their own independent decisions.
The media is the driving force of public opinion that strengthens democratic value, as it empowers the people by providing balanced facts. It educates the voters and ensures that Government is transparent and accountable.
It is the responsibility of the media to (a) let the masses know about any issues or problems that exist or occur in society or the country, as a whole; (b) broadcast the policies and programmes of Government; (c) criticize the unpopular policies and
programmes of the Government; and publish critical information that would help in forming the opinion of the masses.
The GPSU, as a member of the subscribing public, wrote on November 24, 2022 to the Chronicle on the issue, challenging it to be independent, professional and evenhanded, but is yet to receive a response to the issue raised. While the GPSU has not written to the Guyana Times, it has observed similar traits, where this newspaper is sympathetic to and apparently blindly supports the Government of the day.
Newspapers are relied on by the majority of subscribers to provide them with authentic information and therefore the essential ingredient of these information sources are credibility and integrity. The virtues are professionally displayed by the Kaieteur News and Stabroek News and even in most electronic media. It is disgusting and worrying that the State Media that should be setting the example is a major delinquent. The GPSU would therefore be pursuing other means to remedy this undesirable and obnoxious situation.
Yours sincerely,
Dawn Gardener
1st Vice President
Guyana Public Service Union
