THE State-owned Guyana Chronicle was once owned by private interests. A state paper operates in the interest of the state, premised on the collective determination of the citizens within the confines of the law. This paper was nationalised during the period the country was pursuing a socialist path. This path was driven by the philosophy of the government that in owning and controlling the commanding heights of the nation’s economy, it would redound to the collective benefit of the people. Infused in this developmental thrust was an indigenous social, cultural and political component. Juxtaposing this agenda were local competing interests who were in disaccord with the government and very vocal in promoting their points of view.
Simultaneously, on the international front, there was the Cold War. The world was divided into two major blocs, known as the East and the West with different ideological positions, namely communism and capitalism. In this environment, Guyana as a newly independent nation, pursuing a non-aligned foreign policy, was confronting border issues with two of our neighbours, Suriname and Venezuela.
External influences have always impacted Guyana, as a young nation and small State, which posed potential consequences to forging nationhood and advancing a domestic developmental agenda. It was in this duelling and dual environment that the State-owned media had to navigate the path of reporting, advancing and protecting nationhood, the State’s interests and sovereignty.
From the inception, the State paper had to navigate and prioritise coverage consistent with the government’s interests, in an environment where initially on the domestic front there were the competing interests of a small private sector, militant civil society, political and industrial forces.
Domestic affairs jostled with foreign forces from independence, during the Cold War era and even onto today. With the formal end of the Cold War in 1991 and a new global economic model pursued, whereby the private sector was seen as the leading engine of growth, a country where approximately 80 per cent of economy was in the State’s control, the State media again had to create a new way promoting the nation’s new developmental thrust.
This thrust led to a shift away from the people-centredness that socialism fostered, to that of neo-liberalism, where development was determined by the accumulation of individual wealth, and business’ bottom line. Consequently, policies and programmes were weighed and implemented on the influences and agenda of multinationals in an environment where there were limitations in laws and rules defining acceptable conduct. These posed challenges not only for citizens, but also for government. Challenges include situations where national policies were seriously influenced by transnational companies and international organisations and governments.
In fact, a government that for years previously promoted the people controlling the nation’s resources was confronted with having to tell or not to tell the same people that the international order desired that their non-renewable resources and national patrimony be influenced by external forces, where Guyanese must settle for jobs rather have an equal share of the benefit of the resources. The government having found itself in that period of ambivalence was reflected in the media and may have contributed to some confusion in the society as to the role of State media. Conversely, the ambivalence created the space for the State’s paper to be relegated as an organ that mouthed the ruling party’s position on issues, regardless of whether such divided the nation or was in conflict with the laws or national ethos.
This led to the view that the paper was not executing its social responsibility and operating in the nation’s best interests.
Within the last 15 years or so, this concern resulted in a boycott call from the then Leader of the Opposition, Hugh Desmond Hoyte, which led to a significant drop in circulation. This newspaper has been called a PPP rag sheet by a trade unionist in a petition to the United Nations based on an editorial considered racially divisive and inflammatory; and citizens have even called for the paper to be privatised.
The David Granger/Moses Nagamootoo government has committed to national unity based on social cohesion and inclusionary democracy. On the economic front, the government has embraced the international community’s philosophy of a people-centred approach to development and sees a green economy, sustainable development and ILO core labour standards as major planks in achieving this objective.
In this new global order, societies are allowed to develop and implement indigenous programmes guided by instruments agreed upon internationally. In Guyana, some of these instruments have shaped our Constitution and attendant laws. And where they haven’t, as a member of the international family, the paper will contribute to shaping same. In recognition of this shift, this newspaper sees its role as an agent of giving coverage to national issues within the confines of the laws and respect for the rights of every individual and group to pursue their development. This newspaper is an arm of the State and will give primacy to the government’s agenda, inclusive of the views of members of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches. Fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, such as the right to be heard, including dissent and response, will be held in high esteem.
Going forward, we are committed to learn from the mistakes of the past and build on the strengths of the past. It is our intent from henceforth to take our social responsibility seriously by embracing a culture where integrity will guide production. We commit to regaining the confidence of the society, where the paper can be seen as a national organ representing the views and interests of our diverse nation.
It is our intent to have every citizen join us in this new beginning, which is filled with endless possibilities. As such, we invite you to share your stories with us, stop at the vendor and pick up your copy, follow us on facebook, subscribe to receive notifications of new articles by email, send us a letter, or in whatever way best suited for your involvement.