IS press freedom permissible for only one set of media operators? This was the question that was provoked after a call by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) member, Dr. Rupert Roopnarine, for a boycott of state media agencies (Chronicle, NCN and GINA) and the privately owned Guyana Times.

Speaking at APNU’s rally to protest the prorogation of Parliament last evening at Square of the Revolution, Roopnarine said: “Do not buy the Chronicle or the Guyana Times and when you see Channel 11 comes on, change it.”
Attorney-General Anil Nandlall last night slammed this obnoxious call by the Opposition politician, pointing out that “press freedom is not a right that is enjoyed by a few”, with a perceived bias in a particular direction; rather press freedom applies to all Media houses in Guyana.

‘That is a most unfortunate statement for a seasoned and elder politician to make. One would expect a much more responsible statement from Dr. Roopnarine. His remarks constitute nothing less than an assault on the constitutionally guaranteed right of freedom of the press and the right of the Guyanese citizens to receive information. I do not expect the Opposition to be supportive of these news agencies, but at a minimum they should respect their right to publish and the right of the Guyanese people to receive that which is published.’ – AG Nandlall

He said: “That is a most unfortunate statement for a seasoned and elder politician to make. One would expect a much more responsible statement from Dr. Roopnarine. His remarks constitute nothing less than an assault on the constitutionally guaranteed right of freedom of the press and the right of the Guyanese citizens to receive information.

“I do not expect the Opposition to be supportive of these news agencies, but at a minimum they should respect their right to publish and the right of the Guyanese people to receive that which is published.”
According to him, even more disappointing is the fact that this attack has been extended beyond state media agencies and now includes media operators who are perceived to be friendly to the government.
“The attack has now been extended beyond the state media to include private media, which is perceived to be friendly to the Government.”
The AG stressed that the State has a responsibility to ensure that accurate and objective information about the State’s business is disseminated and journalists working with the State, as well as in every media house, must not be subjected to any form of pressure in the discharge of their functions.
He said: “I hope that the persons and organisations who came out so stridently in defence of press freedom recently will now come out with full force on this matter. Their silence will lend itself as tacit support for Dr. Roopnarine’s obvious thinking that only information that is one-sided, that attacks the Government and that is biased in a particular direction must permeate the airwaves and the print media.”
Roopnarine’s comments come on the heels of a week’s-old report of a senior reporter attached to the National Communications Network (NCN), Edward Layne, being verbally abused by the Leader of the Alliance for Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan, a Member of Parliament (MP) and member of the Bar.
In an allegedly expletive-laden tirade, Ramjattan refused to respond to a query from the reporter and told Layne, “The PPP send you fuh ask me stupidness. Why you don’t haul you ass. What the sk*** you think, calling to ask me me fu**** stupidness.” He subsequently dared the reporter to go public with the conversation.
On that occasion, Head of the Guyana Press Association (GPA), Mr. Gordon Moseley said: “The GPA wishes to once again call on all political parties, the governing and opposition parties, to be reminded that journalists, regardless of whether they are in the employ of the state media or the independent media, ought to be allowed to carry out their jobs in an environment that is free from fear and intimidation.
“The GPA would also like to remind media houses of the responsibilities that rest on the shoulders of their workers in the execution of their duties and would like to encourage our journalists to continue to be fearless in their reporting on the issues of the day.”
State media agencies over the years have been challenged by the disposition of members of opposition parties, as well as the attitudes of their supporters, which they influence.