The Guyana Press Association (GPA) has welcomed the commitment by President David Granger that his government will not interfere in the work of the state media. “…the GPA welcomes President David Granger’s unequivocal commitment to guarantee a conducive environment, especially in the publicly-funded Guyana Chronicle and National Communications Network (NCN) – an environment that is free from harassment and editorial dictatorship by the political directorate,” the GPA said in a statement to mark World Press Freedom Day today.
“WE TRUST that such a commitment will realise the end of decades-long political interference in the media.”
The GPA has been in existence for the past 71 years and represents media workers in both the state and private media.
The Association, in saluting media workers, said it is bringing into sharper focus the importance of access to information as a critical element to our globally enshrined right of Freedom of Expression.
This year’s theme, “Access to Information and Fundamental Freedoms – This Is Your Right!” is apt for not only media workers but ordinary grassroots whom we serve on a daily basis, the GPA noted.
The Association quoted the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) on the issue, noting that freedom of information defines the degree of openness and transparency within a society.
“Any limitations on the access to information side of communications, impact on the imparting side, and vice versa. The two dimensions are essential for the full exercise of the right to free expression,” the GPA stated.
The Association has urged journalists to take advantage of Guyana’s Access to Information regime by putting it to the test to allow the release of major aspects of otherwise confidential decision-making by the Guyana government regardless of which party is in power.
“This will allow us, as media practitioners, to fulfil a major aspect of our role in imparting information to the wider public to aid them in rational decision-making that can collectively impact on the social, economic, political and cultural development of Guyana.
“This objective is certainly in accordance with the United Nations 2030 Development Agenda’s goal (SDG number 16) to: “Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels” and the SDG target 16.10: “Public access to information and fundamental freedoms,” the GPA stated.

The Association noted that World Press Freedom Guyana joins the rest of the world in observing World Press Freedom Day 2016, at a time when the Racial Hostility Act has been used in Guyana to institute charges in an extant case on social media.
“Similarly, we have made submissions on the Cyber Crime Bill to decriminalise defamation via the use of cyberspace.
“We believe that if the legislation is passed in its current form, it could potentially be utilized to criminalize defamation via the Internet,” the GPA noted.
The Association said it is extremely concerned that if its submission to remove this provision is not taken on board, a provision will be enacted that appears to be in direct contrast to the abolition of criminal defamation in several Caribbean and other countries.
“Taken together, these have wider implications for press freedom and freedom of expression because those laws can be opportunistically utilised to suppress thoughts through Internet-based media such as news and current affairs websites and members of the wider public, who comment on journalistic content via Social Media.
“At the same time, the GPA urges its members and the wider Guyanese public to recognise that Freedom of Expression is circumscribed by limitations in the public interest and must not be used irresponsibly to the detriment of others,” the Association stated.
“The GPA, therefore, looks forward to increasing and strengthening collaboration with Caribbean and international organisations in creating greater national awareness about access to information, legislative impediments and likely technological barriers as the media in Guyana transition to Internet-based platforms or converge with conventional radio, television and newspapers.”