Selective reporting can easily be described as materials being published at the whims and fancies of the Editor (in-Chief) and, by-in-large, the owner of a media establishment. Here in Guyana, such blatant unethical journalism is embedded in the cabal that has become the Opposition media. Just as a reminder, it comprises of Kaieteur News, Stabroek News, Prime News, Capitol News and the other misinformed commentators on Channels 6 and 9.

Routinely, through their coordinated inaccuracies, they regurgitate the political machinations of their masters in Congress Place and the AFC headquarters. These sentiments are expounded unabated without regards for journalistic ethics and responsibility.

Yet, they recklessly exhibit their audacity to lecture others on the adherence to professional journalism. The old adage of hypocrisy immediately surfaces. Their umbilical ties to the Opposition seem to inhibit their ability to exhibit any semblance of shame.

This is not a new occurrence. Their robot-like execution of the whims and fancies of Congress Place, the home of APNU, and the AFC, have led to them being morphed into puppets of their “string-pullers”.

Being the official mouthpieces of the Opposition, these media entities in question, have become unrelenting in their vile attack on government and its officials. Such manoeuvres are normally reserved for official politicians. Given the utterances of these media entities, it is pellucid that they have become the politicians under the guise of media operatives.

Again, the old adage of hypocrisy resurfaces. Their ability to be selective in what is published is unmatched. Frivolous stories are used to disparage the government and its officials.

These reportage, which are concocted with lies and misquotes, are often given front page and first story prominence in newspapers and news casts respectively. When an apology has to be issued, it is hidden in the least popular page and at the bottom of news casts; clearly a partial lack of balance.

Recently, the pages and airtime of the Opposition media were inundated with stories relating to New York businessman, Ed Ahmad. Many inferences were drawn with regards to alleged ties to the Administration. These editorial-opined reportages were used to cast aspersion on the Administration even before Mr. Ahmad appeared in court! The Opposition media would be swift to respond that they have a right to break stories and to file subsequent reports. Thankfully for the freedom of expression they now enjoy and take advantage of.

However, when New York based Guyanese Attorney, Trevor Rupnarain, was arraigned last year for defrauding lenders and homeowners in a variety of fraudulent transactions, Guyanese here never heard of it. Not even prior to his arraignment or after. The reason? He is a very close relative of the Editor of the Stabroek News! He is reportedly the SN Editor’s brother-in-law. The Stabroek News, when forced months after to carry the story, concealed it in one of the unpopular pages of the newspaper.

What happened to front page prominence as seen with the Ed Ahmad story? Why did the rest of the Opposition media refused to carry the story as they did in the case of Ed Ahmad? Like the Stabroek News, the few that try to “take shame out of their eyes” and reported on it, provided a mere mention in sections that are considered unattractive to readers and viewers; a far cry from what their coordinated effort to use the Ed Ahmad story for political mileage. Coincident?  No. It is another example of their synchronised unprofessional and unethical journalism they embark on at the behest of their political masters.

What is even more despicable, it that the same Stabroek News, which publishes selective letters, have the audacity to published, unbridled, editorials on freedom of expression and the ethics of journalism. Guyanese locally and overseas must be aware of the blatant transgression of journalistic ethics exhibited by the Stabroek News and their cohorts in the Opposition media camp. Guyanese must not be intimidated by those who are integrally aligned to the PNC who oppressed this nation for almost three decades.

Would we see the Stabroek News giving prominence to the Trevor Rupnarain case? Don’t be optimistic. Their proclivity for selective reporting is unrivalled.