LEANA Bradshaw, a reporter employed at Guyana Times/Television Guyana (TVG) Channel 28, resigned yesterday, citing fear for her safety in light of a recent series of investigative articles and stories the publication and the Evening News have been carrying about owner and publisher of the Kaieteur News Mohan Lall, aka Glenn Lall.

Two other female reporters also resigned, apparently in sympathy with their colleague’s fear. The resignations were submitted Tuesday to management following an editorial meeting involving reporters and staff.
On Sunday, the reporter initially met with an editor and explained that she had serious fear and reservations reading a story about Lall on television, as she believed she could be identified and targeted, being one of the news anchors for the television station’s newscast.
Later that Sunday afternoon, when the reporter was told to read the story, she demurred and subsequently without the knowledge and approval of the editor, proceeded to excise the story about Lall from the newscast for the Sunday Evening News.
“I am of the view that reading such articles puts my life at risk, as persons can associate the content with me, contrary to the newspaper reports where no bylines are given or faces shown,” she said in an e-mail communication to the editor.
So great was her fear of retaliation from Lall that Bradshaw told her editor that she was willing to voice the script once her face was not shown on television. This was confirmed by one of her colleagues who quit in sympathy. Bradshaw’s stance showed she had no substantive problem with the script, but reacted out of fear.
That expression of fear was repeated at an editorial meeting and was further supported by one of the reporters who also quit.
The management of Guyana Times/Television Guyana regrets the decision taken by the reporters and wishes them well for the future. “It is indeed a sad day when journalists have to operate in fear of certain personalities because they dare to investigate them and make public their findings,” said general manager Daniel Singh.
“Journalists ought to be able to do their jobs without any fear of consequences at the hands of those whom they publish stories about,” he added. “I take this opportunity to wish them well and thank them for their services to Guyana Times/Television Guyana.”
Singh added that, even after her complaints, one of the editors of the media group met with Bradshaw and assured her of the company’s support as well as for other staff members who feel threatened. The editor also held similar discussions with all three of the reporters minutes before they left the office following their resignations.
“Journalists ought to be able to do their jobs without any fear of consequences at the hands of those whom they publish stories about,” Singh stressed.
The management of Guyana Times/TVG is in the process of bolstering security for its staff in view of this recent development.