AN ASSERTION made by General Secretary of the ruling party, Clement Rohee, that statements made by the Media Monitoring Unit (MMU) are “aimed at creating civil unrest” was rejected by the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Dr. Steve Surujbally.The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) member, yesterday at a news conference, said, “Recent public statements released by the MMU are full of rhetoric and aimed at creating civil unrest during this very sensitive period in our country. Such irresponsible statements aimed at the PPP are tantamount to an attack on our democracy. Guyana should denounce these biased statements in the strongest possible way.”
“That is not a statement I can agree with. The MMU’s language perhaps sophisticated, yes, but not in any way drafted to create civil unrest,” Dr. Surujbally declared.

BIASED ATTACKS
Rohee also made it clear that the party condemns the public missives from the MMU, which it views as “biased and politically motivated” attacks on the PPP and its leaders by the MMU.
He stated that the MMU’s unequal assessment has been reflected in the fact that glaring infractions on the part of other individuals have been ignored.
In particular, the PPP General Secretary referred to an incident involving a member of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Dr. Veersammy Ramaya.
“The Party has had cause to write GECOM and the Commissioner of Police complaining of racially inciting statements made by leading members of the APNU+AFC (A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change) Coalition on national television, however, to date not a single response was received from GECOM’s Media Monitoring Unit for example on Ramaya’s racial statements towards the PPP and its supporters or any other matter. The PPP and its leaders seem to be the target of this unit while the Opposition is allowed to utter and escape with all sorts of derogatory and racist remarks,” he said
On that basis, Rohee reiterated the PPP’s call for the GECOM to “take control of the MMU” and to “closely monitor” its work and releases.
“A more responsible and sober approach is needed to temper the election tension among our people,” he said.
To this contention, the GECOM Chairman stressed that attacks on political parties is not the “objective or the reason” for the MMU’s operations.
The objectives of the MMU’s work include to promote the maintenance of the highest professional standards in the media during the upcoming General and Regional Elections; nurture a responsible media environment that is supportive to the country’s democratic processes; facilitate the building of harmonious relationships between and among GECOM, the media, the Government, political parties and civil society – a relationship that results in peaceful elections; and to positively influence the process of self-regulation by local media practitioners.
NOT IN ISOLATION
The PPP General Secretary charged too that the MMU cannot function in isolation of GECOM.
“GECOM must take full ownership and responsibility and provide proper guidance and supervision to this body. The MMU is not an independent body but rather an arm of the Elections Commission, hence public statements must be vetted by GECOM to ensure that its reporting is accurate and responsible,” he said.
Rohee also warned of the MMU being used as the “Opposition mouthpiece” and operating as a law onto itself.
The MMU report was the basis of legal action advanced against former president, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, by a vocal critic of the current Administration, Christopher Ram. The matter had its first hearing at the Whim Magistrate Court, Region 6 (East Berbice/ Corentyne) on Monday.
On this matter, Dr. Surujbally pointed out; the MMU officials have been spoken to about the “relative harshness” of the language in reports and the need to have evidence supporting its conclusions.
“The reports should not go off before I see it,” he assured, adding that the Unit have been given autonomy within GECOM.
Dr. Surujbally stressed that mechanisms are in place for the MMU to follow to ensure that its objectives are carried out in a manner that stays true to the objectives of its establishment.
Two reports have been released to date since its resuscitation late February.