The Department of Information and Public Affairs within the Office of the Prime Minister has responded to the Guyana Press Association’s (GPA) statement issued on Wednesday, which raised concerns over alleged threats to press freedom in the country. The statement has firmly rejected the claims, labelling them as misleading and part of a pattern of selective advocacy from the GPA’s leadership.
In its response, the Department, which falls under the purview of Minister Kwame McCoy, categorically rejected the GPA’s assertion that press freedoms are under threat in Guyana. It argued that the claim is entirely unfounded and contrasts sharply with the reality of an open and free media environment in the country.
The statement pointed out that Guyana’s media landscape is one of the most liberalised in the region, with journalists operating freely and without interference from the state. Additionally, Guyana has one of the most open social media environments in the Caribbean.
The statement also acknowledged the importance of the freedoms that come with a free press but emphasised the responsibility to combat misinformation and disinformation, which it argued could undermine democracy. The government highlighted growing concerns over the spread of false information, particularly on social media, and noted the increasing public calls for a stronger policy framework to protect the public from the harmful impact of such disinformation.
The GPA has been accused of selective advocacy by the government, which pointed out that the association has been conspicuously silent on instances of intimidation, harassment, and threats faced by journalists from state media. This selective approach, the government contends, undermines the GPA’s credibility and exposes a politically motivated bias in the association’s actions.
The statement also suggested that the GPA’s leadership has abandoned neutrality and has adopted an openly anti-PPP stance, particularly evident in the timing of negative narratives ahead of World Press Freedom Day. These narratives, the government argued, appear to be aimed at influencing international assessments, such as the Press Freedom Index, and potentially damaging Guyana’s global reputation.
Furthermore, it questioned the political affiliations of certain individuals within the GPA, suggesting that these blurred ethical lines undermine the association’s role as a neutral body advocating for press freedom. In particular, it raised concerns about GPA President Nazima Raghubir’s participation in a protest in support of activist Melissa Atwell, questioning whether this was consistent with her duties as a neutral media advocate.
The Guyana Press Association’s statement, which was the catalyst for the government’s response, condemned the actions of the social media page “Live in Guyana.”
The GPA accused the page of attempting to discredit journalists and members of the GPA executive who covered a protest on Tuesday at the Square of the Revolution in support of activist Melissa Atwell.
The GPA described the page’s reports as spurious and damaging to the integrity of journalism in the country, calling for a return to ethical and responsible reporting.
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