KN’s attack on GINA is malicious

THE Kaieteur News (KN) publications, over the past few days, launched scathing attacks at the Government Information Agency (GINA), with relation to the publication of “The Guyanese.” The Guyanese is a newspaper that is distributed to the Diaspora and is in keeping with GINA’s mandate to inform Guyanese overseas on developments within the country. I would like to suggest to you that these attacks are not only malicious, but are also attempts to deny Guyanese the right to information. I see this attack as an attempt to prevent Guyanese abroad from being able to have an informed opinion and hence make informed decisions with regard to Guyana. The Kaieteur News has developed a reputation as the mouthpiece of the opposition. I would like to give my views as to why these attacks are being directed at GINA.
The newspaper, The Guyanese, was created with a goal to inform the Diaspora of developments within the country. This is in keeping with the mandate of GINA, which is to inform the Diaspora accurately on the ongoing developments within our country. I see no reason to try to block the spread of information to Guyanese abroad.
The timing of the attacks also raises questions on the motive of the attacks. The Guyanese was first published back in October of 2014, and now almost six months later, the Kaieteur News chooses to launch these attacks. Why wait this long? With elections two months away, this is without doubt an attempt to try to discredit the Government Information Agency in the build up to elections.
I would also like to highlight the fact that the claims made by Kaieteur News are totally in the ‘realm of allegations.’ The Kaieteur News has once again made allegations without anything tangible to provide as evidence. In fact it usually never provides evidence for allegations made. These claims are usually left dangling with no feet to stand on. ‘Russell’s Teapot’ by Bertrand Russell suggests that the party making the proposition that something is true bears the burden of proof. Without any evidence all of these allegations are just conspiracy theories.
Before The Guyanese, Kaieteur News held a ‘monopoly’ on the distribution of print media to the Diaspora. That’s not to say they were the only one allowed to do it, but they were the major distributor of print media to the Diaspora. It used this advantage to spread opposition propaganda and volumes of ‘unproven accusations’ against the current government. With the rise of The Guyanese, Kaieteur News now finds itself in a position where conflicting information is provided to the Diaspora. Its credibility is at risk, and as I would imagine, it feels obligated to retaliate.
This attack on the Government Information Agency also involves personal attacks on staff. Over the years, Kaieteur News has focused strongly on personal attacks; this has resulted in the marginalization of many who are critical of the way in which it operates. They link persons to issues and use numerous ad-hominem attacks against them. This is a common logical fallacy among the many others used in arguments presented by this media house. Methods like these were used to try to assassinate the characters of Minister Clement Rohee and former President Bharrat Jagdeo. This is an attempt to dehumanize and marginalize people who oppose their methods.
With this analysis, it is clear that this is a well-timed act. I think journalists should make it their duty to report with integrity, and media houses should monitor their publications. These attacks on GINA and its staff are uncalled for. These malicious attacks are a direct result of Kaieteur News viewing GINA as competition in the distribution of information. I strongly believe this move is driven by insecurity and malice.

DARREN CLEMENTSON

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