IT is so amusing that those who deliberately attempt to distort the PPP’s record on press freedom and freedom of expression are perhaps the most vocal and outspoken in our society.

Everyday these individuals pontificate on radio, television and in the newspapers on subjects ranging from rain to romance without any fear of retribution. It seems to me a contradiction that with this glaring reality, Mr. Arif Bulkhan is desperately trying to convince us there is no freedom of expression and freedom of the press in Guyana.

Mr. Bulkhan’s letter on Monday, January 12, 2015 to the editor cannot be read without taking into consideration the entrenched hatred by the Bulkhan family for the PPP for their own mismanagement of their family business that eventually collapsed. I consider this observation necessary and useful at this point, because it has implications for the measurement of his objectivity.

However, it has long been recognised that these individuals, inclusive of Mr. Bulkhan, mistake challenges to their distortion, misinformation and outright lies for everything else other than the right to reply and in defence of the PPP record and its leaders’ character. It would therefore not surprise most people if he now claims he is under attack for his views.

Apart from the obvious inaccuracies contained in Mr. Bulkhan’s letter, he has executed poor judgment in his arguments since the examples he used can hardly be deemed appropriate indicators in the measurement of freedom of expression and press freedom. The mere fact that Mr. Bulkhan misused his opportunity to be factual, by telling us Freddie Kissoon was fired from the University of Guyana is enough to tell us what we are actually dealing with. The University of Guyana Council did not consider Mr. Kissoon for post retirement employment.

With respect to his reference to the termination of appointments of Mr. Carl Greenidge to CARIFORUM and Mr. David Hinds to Arizona University, Mr. Bulkhan deliberately omitted to say that these appointments had required individuals who were independent, objective and fair, and neither of these gentlemen met this criteria and were therefore considered unsuitable. I can hardly believe that Mr. Bulkhan’s insinuations of ulterior motives by those honourable professionals in these institutions will make it to success.

Worse yet, his position on the tax evasion matter implicating Glenn Lall is unpopular, since the majority of Guyanese recognise the dangers of encouraging and allowing the ‘rich and famous’ to deprive our country of the benefits of revenue generation. An illegality is what it is, and Mr. Lall is no different from anyone else who is required to pay his or her taxes.

Again, Mr. Bulkhan gave the Opposition a free-pass by exculpating it from blame for the delay in the opening up of frequencies to accommodate additional radio and television stations. There is a history to this matter and the whole truth is nevertheless that the PPP/C Government opened up the airwaves to widen the opportunities for freedom of expression and freedom of the press.

Based on his argument, it appears as though he has resolved himself to embrace illegality by supporting the violation of the law by CNS 6. At least, though Mr. Bulkhan lived up to one of my expectations, the certainty of his mentioning Mr. Gordon Mosely, who was deemed persona non grata for a period at Office of the President. This decision was considered on the basis of his poor mannerism, disrespect and discourtesy, and the privilege of access to the Office of the President is contingent on adherence to the rules and regulations of this high office.

Overall, Mr. Bulkhan has delivered a poor case, his arguments are laced with subjectivity. In a country with a population of over 750,000 people, Mr. Bulkhan can only present us with less than 10 examples in his attempt to nullify the PPP’s good record on freedom of expression and freedom of the press. I could imagine that hatred would drive you to any desperation point.

KWAME McCOY