THE recent craze about Kaieteur News and the slant of the newspapers should be ignored for now. It makes no sense at all. I have some good reasons for making this statement too. First (at least to me), it seems as though the entire staff – editors, writers and reporters are about pure ‘hell-raising’ sensationalism.
I ask readers to just glance at the front page of any issue. It is always colourful, but mostly negative. Kaieteur News is acquiring a growing notoriety. It seems as though the interest is in ‘flame fanning,’ ‘inciting,’ and ‘mocking.’ It manifests no class whatsoever.
Readers, just stop and think: in seeking desperately to disparage others, the team members have sacrificed integrity, accuracy and decency.
I have been told that ‘local feature writers’ are given an extra bonus for being naughty and ridiculous. This seems more than a rumour too.
My mind goes to ‘Dem Boys Seh,’ the Freddies, Sasenarines, Archers and Maxwells, etc. Even in mere glancing through, I am certain that readers can ‘pick up the drift.’ It is very plain that the objective of writers is not about ‘deep analysis and honesty.’ Traits of good reporting are not inherent in the newspaper. Here is an illustration.
When the government or the country is attacked by any entity, Kaieteur News always expands on that. However, if that same entity should speak well of the nation, that point is either ignored or challenged. I remember how the 2011 election was deemed ‘fair’ and ‘free’ by all of the international observing teams.
Nothing untoward was mentioned. However, one statement suggested that there was an unfair bias towards the PPP/C, regarding state resources and the media. Instantly that became a leitmotif. See what I mean?
I think here of Freddie, the chief sensationalist, who makes a friend of every anti-PPP/C critic, but hates all the supporters. Freddie hates Sir Sridath Ramphal, Lord Stern and Dr. Pachauri-they admire the former president, Bharrat Jagdeo. He pederastically apotheosises the Nigel Hughes, etc.
Then how about using actual negative photos, and again right on the front page? This holds true for even the most sensitive of incidents – race, murder, marriage/divorce, etc. The whole thing stinks. I know of many Guyanese who prohibit the use of Kaieteur News, simply because the pictures are not of good taste.  And this is stating it mildly. I ask any reader to just make the photographic comparison and then arrive at a conclusion.
Finally how about language usage? Without mentioning names, I can simply prove, even without effort, the tone of Kaieteur News. Now I shall not comment on actual writing deficiencies. It seems as if this lack is widespread. However, the ‘Champion and undisputed King’ in mockery, accusations, fabrications and pejorative adjectives is Kaieteur News.
‘Clement Rohee is stupid, Jagdeo is asinine, the PPP/C members are imbecile, the cabinet is a mere caricature, etc. It is just too much.’ In fact, readers are now accustomed to this kind of nonsensical haranguing. It is ignored, or if not, it is not efficacious. I think here, that the ruling party may have to re-examine its mode of counter. As a careful reader, I can sense and disambiguate, however, the populace cannot. Remember also, that many times, he who speaks loudest and dirtiest is he who is heard.
Personally, I see weak responses from many of the victims of Kaieteur News. Either there is a lurking fear, or it is simply a case of being intimidated. “The pen is mightier than the sword.” However, a sheathed sword has merely ornamental value.
I close by asking for a revisit to the many ‘pre-results’ press briefings by the various contesting parties. It was only when the then president, Bharrat Jagdeo spoke, that a voice of positive suasion came to the audience. This is what is needed.