U.S. Ambassador recommends impartial, transparent national broadcast authority
UNITED States (U.S.) Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Brent Hardt said he is impressed with the variety and scope of the media in this country. He was speaking, last Wednesday evening during a reception he hosted at his Atlantic Ville residence, East Coast Demerara, ahead of World Press Freedom Day observed yesterday.
The theme for the occasion was ‘New Voices: Media Freedom Helping to Transform Societies’, and the envoy also said he has recognised the “inestimable value of a free press, especially in a modern world where information is power.”
Among those present were President Donald Ramotar, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman, members of the Government and Opposition political parties, as well as representatives of the media fraternity.
Mr. Hardt said: “Within Guyana’s current media framework, I have been greatly impressed by the variety and the scope of the media outlets, the vitality of the press here in Guyana and your willingness to take on tough issues.”
He said, for a country of 800,000 people to produce four quality daily newspapers and a range of television news and radio shows is truly impressive.
“And we should also take note that online media and other forms of new communications are reshaping the way people see, hear and discuss information. And I think many people were struck by the role that the social media played in last year’s national elections,” the diplomat remarked.
He said this issue has been addressed in a book, entitled ‘Virtual Politics – the Internet and Guyana’s 2011 Elections’, published recently by the University of Guyana with United States Agency for International Development (USAID) support.

ESSENTIAL ROLE
Hardt said the traditional media also played an essential role in the elections and it was encouraging to see that a record number of media practitioners signed the Media Code of Conduct, prior to the elections, that established a framework and set the tone for generally fair and balanced elections reporting.
“It is very encouraging that the Government has taken steps to free the airwaves of Guyana and end the model of limited state enforced radio that has restricted the public’s access to the airwaves,” Hardt said.
He applauded the initial approval of the 11 radio broadcast licences and said that he looks forward to seeing the approval process of those and other potential stations finalised in the near future.
Hardt recommended that, going forward, it is vital that the process comes under the purview of an impartial and transparent national broadcast authority.
The ambassador also noted that it was the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights which affirmed everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
He said fundamental freedoms, such as those enshrined in the United Nations (UN) Declaration of 1948, are universal and they are not defined by an individual, a government, a country, a culture, a race, creed or religion.
“We all need to defend these freedoms and you, the members of the media in Guyana, are on the frontlines of this battle,” Hardt told the media practitioners.
According to him, “The people of the U.S., just  like the people of Guyana, recognise the inestimable value of a free press, especially in a modern world where information is power.”
He observed that few people can make a living, hold governments accountable, or educate their children without a healthy supply and free flow of information and conceded that citizens, businesses and governments need accurate, timely and independent news that they can trust.
The Ambassador said media freedom keeps societies and economies vibrant, energetic and healthy and the advent of social media, like blogs, Twitter and Facebook, give everyday citizens the power to share their voices and opinions with the entire world.
Hardt said when the free flow of news and information is cut off, people, economies and societies suffer. He also pointed out that countries with the highest degree of press freedom are among the world’s most prosperous while those with the most restricted freedom face serious economic and political challenges.

LEGITIMATE ROLE
“It is clear governments that restrict media also restrict other freedoms necessary for economies and societies to prosper and the media has a legitimate role in holding governments accountable,” he maintained.
However, Hardt admitted that, unfortunately, too many governments attempt to censor the media directly or indirectly and too many investigative journalists are silenced, many for exposing corruption and too many attacks and murders of journalists go unpunished.
“On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the U.S. calls on governments around the world to take the steps necessary to create space for our independent journalists to do their work without violence or fear of prosecution,” he appealed.
He said they must continue to stand up for those who speak out in perilous circumstances as they pursue, record and report on the truth, adding: “We salute you for the hard work that you do, day in and day out, to bring the news to the people of Guyana; to call attention to social problems and progress; to take note of economic developments and challenges and to expose corruption and investigate the facts wherever they are.”
He also saluted courageous journalists, bloggers and citizens, worldwide, who have sacrificed their lives and freedom so that others can know the truth, and “we honour the role of a free and independent media in creating sustainable democracies and open, healthy societies.”
The Ambassador said that press freedom is an indispensible right in the Western Hemisphere, acknowledging that the fourth article of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, which was adopted by all the Organisation of American States (OAS) members in 2001, defines the freedom of expression and the press as “essential components to the exercise of democracy and yet these freedoms are at risk in the Americas today.
He agreed that all countries face challenges and must be vigilant in trying to address those issues.