This is in reference to a recent front page news story on Housing Minister Irfaan Ali’s home in Kaieteur News. The story is irresponsible as it suggests improprieties on the minister’s part without offering any evidence of wrongdoing. Readers see a photo of a magnificent home but we are not told what is wrong with the minister owning such a home. People have a right to enjoy their wealth in comfortable homes. If there are illicit activities, these should be exposed with facts. It is a sensational report that only sought to malign and defame rather than a substantive report that sought to educate the public about suggested wrongdoing.
If the paper has evidence of an inappropriate transaction, then it should present the information rather than leave it to readers to form their own conclusions.
We live in a society where people think every official is a crook. To publish a suggestive photo and accompanying story without proof of impropriety does the minister severe wrong.
The news report was not the hallmark of good journalism. In fact, in America it is called yellow journalism. It was an agenda-driven report
that is really shoddy. It gave an impression that the paper was settling scores of some conflict with the minister. The newspaper should not give readers what they want to see or read, but what is accurate and can be substantiated with facts. Reporters, editors and publishers need to have integrity, be sincere, truthful, decent, impartial, and accurate in their line of work. News or investigative reports must be unbiased and should not seek to exaggerate or leave out important details. No paper should publish an item without evidence. We need the truth.
I do not know Minister Ali personally, but I can attest in surveys I recently conducted that he is held in good esteem among common people for providing them with house lots. He is considered as one of the more
productive ministers of the administration.