THE Ministry of Finance yesterday afternoon expressed concern at what appears to be a deliberate attempt by Kaieteur News to “misinterpret, misrepresent and distort” the findings presented in the recently tabled Auditor General’s report.

Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh stated that, on a previous occasion during last year, his Ministry had had cause to point out that the same newspaper was carrying reports based on selective extracts from the Auditor General’s report, without any effort to take into account the explanations that were offered by the Government departments and Ministries concerned, and without any attempt to properly understand or analyse the technical context of the finding or extract that was being reported on.

Once again, Minister Singh stated, the newspaper was engaged in a similar practice that could only be aimed at misleading its readership.

On this occasion, the Minister pointed out, the newspaper continues to be highly selective in its extracts from the Auditor General’s report, choosing only certain extracts that can be distorted to paint a negative picture of the state of financial management in Government.

In addition, inadequate regard is paid by the newspaper to the explanations provided by the agencies concerned.

Further, in some instances, the newspaper has chosen to report on matters that are several years old and that have already been the subject of previous Auditor General’s report and even previous consideration by the Public Accounts Committee. The result is that an inaccurate picture is painted of the findings reported and misleading impressions are created, Dr. Singh said.

The Ministry of Finance urged Kaieteur News to exercise greater responsibility and objectivity in reporting matters of such importance.