The issue of press freedom and freedom of speech has always been in the limelight across the globe, and this is inevitable because it is one of the cornerstone principles and integral component of the democratic process. In fact, it is one of the safeguards of democracy.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference, and impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers” This philosophy is usually accompanied by legislation ensuring various degrees of freedom of scientific research (known as scientific freedom), publishing, press and printing the depth to which these laws are entrenched in a country’s legal system can go as far down as its constitution. The concept of freedom of speech is often covered by the same laws as freedom of the press, thereby giving equal treatment to media and individuals.

It is a fact that dictatorships have always tried to suppress press freedom and freedom of speech in the quest to maintain political control in societies where they exist, and in extreme cases force has often been used resulting in the killing, brutalising and harassment of media operatives throughout the world.

Napoleon Bonaparte is reported to have said: “I fear the newspapers more than a hundred thousand bayonets.”

Here too in Guyana we have had a long period of suppression of the media during the 28–year period of dictatorial rule, with a slight ease during its last days due to both international and local pressure.

During the earlier period both radio stations were taken over by the state; the few local existing newspapers like the Mirror and the Catholic Standard, through administrative manipulations by the ruling clique, found it hard to survive and keep their heads above water.

As the unpopularity of the regime grew and its wrong doings became increasingly exposed and the press was being muzzled, the regime graduated to harsher measures and one of the devastating blows it inflicted was the now infamous ban on the importation of newsprint by the New Guyana Company – publishers of the Mirror on the grounds that there was a shortage of foreign exchange. However, this lie was unmasked when friendly organisations offered the newsprint to Mirror free of cost and the regime showing its true colours refused to grant importation licenses to the company.

As the regime grew more vicious it resorted to the use of thugs to unleash violence on journalists resulting in the murder of Father Darke of the Catholic Standard.

It was during this period that the then President Burnham made his ominous declaration that xthe steel is sharper.x

However, with the restoration of democracy in 1992 we have moved completely from that repressive and frightening path in our history with respect to press freedom.

Today, it would be impossible for anyone, even non-supporters of this government, to argue that this country does not enjoy press freedom, notwithstanding the preposterous statements emanating from a single idiotic so-called columnist that this country is being ruled by an elected dictatorship,whatever that means.

In this regard, it is noteworthy that the independent group Freedom House (only co- incidentally having the same name of the PPPxs headquarters but has no official or connection with the party) has stated categorically that press freedom in Guyana has returned to a FREE status.

However, sometimes we overlook a basic principle that freedoms and rights carry responsibilities and therefore no freedom or right is absolute.