FALLING standards in the practice of journalism cannot be left unattended, according to the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), in a statement issued on Tuesday evening.“FITUG holds the view that the hype around the AG (Attorney-General) at this time really reveals how our right to privacy is being undermined and that our democratic thrust as a country can very well be in jeopardy,” the body said.
The pronouncement follows the release of a 19-minuute recording of the private conversation on October 25, between the AG and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr. Anil Nandlall, and a senior Kaieteur News reporter, Mr. Leonard Gildharie.
The release was made by publisher of the Kaieteur News, Mohan Lall, also known as Glenn Lall. He subsequently made a report to the Deputy Police Commissioner, Mr. Balram Persaud, premised on the contention that the contents of the recording indicate that his life, the lives of his family and staff members are under threat.
GRAVER IMPLICATIONS
FITUG contends that new challenges have emerged in Guyanese society, highlighting that many of the views expressed focused on the content of the purported tape and which, seemingly, is providing a grand opportunity for, essentially, the politically inclined to do some personal bashing.
“Those who are hastening to take a passing advantage at this turn of events should not be shortsighted, nor should they allow any exultation at this act obscure to its graver implications,” the body said.
According to FITUG, over the generations many values have evolved that determine our humanity and respect for privacy is one such and a value and human right.
The body said: “To feel secured in our [society] today cannot be limited to protection from physical harm and of our personal property, but extends to communication with our family, neighbours, friends, workmates, clients, patients, etc. Violation of such private interactions undoubtedly becomes a threat to our democratic culture which is still being consolidated.
“…there is the disgusting and illegal nature of the taping of a private conversation by two persons, in this case, school chums. It is scary to know that in our midst are persons who will not hesitate to violate our right to privacy, in this instance, that of our AG.”
FITUG questioned the fact that if the AG can “so easily [be] targeted and illegally taped,”
who else within the higher echelons of the state apparatus, both Government and the security forces, can be targeted.
“We find it instructive that the voices shunning intrusion of our privacy are not as strong as one should expect. It is also a learning experience to hear from quarters that justifiably consistently condemn criminal activities in our society are so silent in the illegal eavesdropping and taping of our AG,” the body said.
CLARIFIED
Since the start of the escalating brouhaha, the AG has made it clear that freedom of the press is the cornerstone of Guyana’s democracy and the free press has a responsibility to the highest ethical standards as they operate in that free environment; he is unaware of any planned violence or extra-judicial sanction against any individual journalist or any newspaper – a contention intimated by Lall in his report to the police; the interpretation that he is involved in some form of financial impropriety, related to taxpayers’ monies is a wrong one.
The AG since the 19-minute leak has filed legal proceedings against the Kaieteur News, Mr. Glenn Lall; the Editor of the Kaieteur News, Mr. Adam Harris; and the National Media and Publishing Company Ltd.
The lawsuit is calling for: damages in excess of $10M for libel contained in an article published on page three of the Kaieteur News, yesterday, under the headline “Attorney General Reveals Plan to ‘HIT’ Glenn Lall, Kaieteur News damages in excess of $10M for libel contained in an article published on pages six and seven of the Kaieteur News, yesterday, under the headline ‘Attorney General Reveals Plan to ‘HIT’ Glenn Lall, KNews’; aggravated or exemplary damages in excess of $10M; and other costs.
Nandlall has since said, “It is my hope that these proceedings will examine and determine the legality and authenticity of the recording as well as the liabilities, if any, which arise therefrom. Additionally, I have no doubt that the appropriate authorities would send the recording for proper forensic analysis….I have every confidence in our judicial system to conduct a fair and open hearing and to deliver justice at the end.”
Additionally, the police investigations into the matter are continuing. However, questions are still being asked as to how Lall came into possession of the recording and if the reporter did not hand over the recording, this could possibly constitute a legal infraction. Questions are also being asked under what circumstances the telephone conversation was recorded; if it was recorded by Gildharie or if it was a result of wiretapping activities – the latter representing another legal infraction.
Also, in some sections of society, concerned Guyanese are calling on the Government of Guyana to take this issue to the United Nations (UN), based on the stipulations included in international law and Guyana’s treaty obligations, which address privacy as a human right. The relevant UN policies include the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN’s International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the UN General Assembly’s December 2013 resolution, “The Right to Privacy in the Digital Age.”