THE Government Information Agency (GINA) has issued a statement saying that it is not happy with pronouncements made by the local daily, the Kaieteur News, in its Monday, March 2 edition of the paper regarding the publication, ‘The Guyanese’.The following is the full text of that statement:
“The Government Information Agency (GINA) has noted the pronouncements by the Kaieteur News in its Monday, March 02, 2015 edition regarding ‘The Guyanese’, a fortnightly newspaper distributed free of charge to the Diaspora in New York.
“GINA wishes to forthrightly state that such pronouncements are glaring examples of the Kaieteur News’ proclivity to engage in sensationalism; to deliberately misinform and to publish falsehoods.
“In addition, the said article remained steadfast to the Kaieteur News’ thrust to vilify and besmirch the character of government officials. GINA rejects the Kaieteur News’ mischievous assertion with regards to the sum spent on “The Guyanese” newspaper, and is not unmindful of the numerous inaccuracies contained in the article in question.
“The Kaieteur News should be reminded that GINA has a mandate to provide information pertinent to government’s programmes and policies to all Guyanese. Since its establishment, GINA has been producing literature, including local newspapers, for free distribution as part of its mandate. These publications remain in demand. Only last October, GINA launched a new developmental oriented magazine of the same name, “The Guyanese”. This in-flight magazine is produced with all Guyanese in mind, including the Diaspora.
“With regards to “The Guyanese” newspaper, GINA wishes to state that its production is within its mandate and funded from the Agency’s budget. The first edition was October 10, 2014. The initiative to produce the newspaper is premised on the fact that the Diaspora is an important part of our society and an equally important partner in development. Like every Guyanese, aside from those residing here, the Diaspora is constitutionally entitled to receive information pertaining to Guyana’s development.
“The Diaspora has been subjected to allegations of lies, half truths and innuendos published in the Kaieteur News which produces a weekly edition for free distribution in New York. The Kaieteur News’ real motive, to publish the article alluded to becomes suspicious, especially since it has never in the past questioned previous publications. It therefore begs the question that since October last year, why only now would the Kaieteur News choose to concoct an article permeated with unsubstantiated information regarding “The Guyanese” newspaper.
“The Guyanese” newspaper is distributed from over one hundred locations in New York, and the feedback of its impact has been overwhelmingly positive. It has been welcomed by Guyanese residing there who have expressed their satisfaction with this initiative. It is in this context that GINA believes that the sole reason for the Kaieteur News’ fabrication, through the article, is probably because it feels that its financial viability may be threatened given that its impact in New York is beginning to wane.
“GINA also wishes to note that given the scandalous nature of the Kaieteur News’ article in question and the wanton attack on two government officials, it has sought the advice of its lawyers.”