The Guyana Press Association (GPA) has slammed the PPP government for undermining the freedom of the press in Guyana. The GPA stated, “Based on utterances from a number of government officials including its panelists, the undertone appeared to be engaged in self-censorship under the guise of “responsibility”.
The PPP has a long history of attacking media houses and journalists who publish reports and stories that highlight the wrongdoing and corruption of the PPP. For example, PPP MP Kwame McCoy, who delivered a speech to the National Media Conference on behalf of the government, was accused of throwing feces on popular journalist Freddie Kissoon, an allegation McKoy denies. The PPP, under president Jagdeo, also cut government ads to Stabroek News as punishment for its critical reporting on the administration.
The threats of having revenue from state ads taken away and journalists targeted has historically hung over the head of media houses under the rule of the PPP and the current administration is now different. Under these conditions, the GPA is right to be concerned that the PPP’s demand for “responsible” and “good” journalism is directing what would otherwise be independent media towards “self-censorship”.
