“PRESS FREEDOM is alive and well in Guyana!” the Department of Public Information (DPI) said on Monday, as it refuted claims of censorship.

DPI in a statement has come in defence of the Government mere days after the Guyana Press Association (GPA) filed an official complaint to President David Granger about interference, not only by DPI, but Government ministers into the operation of the state media, primarily the National Communications Network (NCN), Guyana Chronicle and the Government Information Agency (GINA).

Hosting of a weekly “propaganda” caucus by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo with the state media and GINA, “numerous instances” of DPI seeking to “dictate content,” Ministers “complaining” of inadequate coverage in state media, and state media boards being “deeply involved in making editorial decisions,” were among the complaints filed.

In response, the DPI said, “The Government of Guyana strongly refutes that the state media personnel are intimidated during the Prime Minister’s weekly meetings,” noting that the Office of the Prime Minister has received no complaints from the Board of Directors or management of any state media entity of intimidation or interference.

“No member of the Guyana Press Association attending these meetings has made any objections.”

According to the DPI, the periodic meetings with the state media heads focus on the coordination of schedule of Government events and coverage of same, a practice in place since 1992.

State media attendees have all commented on the usefulness of the engagements, the DPI posited.

“Reactions by officials noting positive, negative, limited or one-sided coverage of Government business in the media – both state and private – is routine. It is not interference to want better and more dissemination of news,” the DPI said.

The department added: “The Government is baffled by the stance of the Guyana Press Association to write to the Head of State to politically intervene in matters that ought to have been raised with the competent Board of Directors of the respective state media entities. It is competent for the GPA to advise its members to act professionally and to defend standards of journalism, but it is another matter for the GPA to call on the Executive to ‘manners’ his ministers on unsubstantiated allegations.

“The Guyana Government reaffirms its commitment to an open, free and plural media. It is indeed refreshing to witness the re-introduction, in state media, of positive coverage of opposition views and activities and access to the state media by persons who are routinely critical of Government. Press freedom is alive and well in Guyana!” the statement concluded.