I, AMONG civil minded Guyanese, would like to join in demanding apologies from Stabroek News, Kaieteur News and Joseph Harmon for the misinformation that was spreading like wildfire regarding the Muri PGGS.

As Ralph Ramkarran in his Sunday Stabroek news article ‘Mining in the Muri Mountains’ stated: “Most of the questions have now been answered but three serious issues of national consequence remain. These are national security, the environment and exploration. Whatever happens to this particular venture – and the extensive hostility generated to it and unfairly to the Minister does not bode well for its future – these issues will remain.”
Despite the series of explanations provided by the minister and his ministry and other stakeholders within the sector, namely the Private Sector, the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association and the Company itself – Muri Brazil Venture Inc, there were no apologies forthcoming, but rather Stabroek News, Kaieteur News and Joseph Harmon continue to twist the facts to validate their misinformation.
The facts of the matter which were prominent in the newspapers and on the social media, nullified the ill-advised statements by Harmon and misguided publications by Stabroek News and Kaieteur News. I believe that we all should hold ourselves accountable for what we say and do.
Hence, the time has come for the authors of the misinformation – Stabroek News, Kaieteur News and Joseph Harmon to accept the facts and do the ethical thing and apologise to the minister, the mining sector and most of all, for misinforming the public. Professional and journalistic ethics should prevail and the necessary courtesies should be extended to the minister and the mining sector.

ERICA SMITH (rtd. Teacher)