– Guyanese lash out at article’s misrepresentation of their country

THERE is a great local uproar over a New York Times (NYT) article that is being seen as derogatory towards Guyana, and oil giant, ExxonMobil has distanced itself from the article.

The article titled “The $20 Billion Question for Guyana” and written by NYT national energy business correspondent, Clifford Krauss sought to present the prospects of Guyana in the wake of a developing oil industry.

READ the NY Times article here https:https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/20/business/energy-environment/the-20-billion-question-for-guyana.html?rref=collection%2Fbyline%2Fclifford-krauss&action=click&contentCollection=undefined&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection

Though the article presents a comprehensive overview of the developing industry in Guyana, it also presents an exaggerated, negative narrative of the developing country.

The article opens with the strap line: “This largely underdeveloped country on South America’s northern Atlantic coast is the unlikely setting for the world’s next big oil boom. But is it ready to handle the riches?”

And the very first paragraph reads: “Guyana is a vast, watery wilderness with only three paved highways. There are a few dirt roads between villages that sit on stilts along rivers snaking through the rainforest. Children in remote areas go to school in dugout canoes, and play naked in the muggy heat.”

The capital city and commercial hub, Georgetown, like other towns on the coast have been referred to as a “musty clapboard town which seems to be forgotten by time.”

Addressing concerns about the article, ExxonMobil issued a statement on its Facebook page, saying: “The New York Times (NYT) is an independent media entity based in the United States. ExxonMobil did not pay for the reporter to travel to Guyana for this article.”

Instead, the company clarified, “ExxonMobil’s only involvement was our agreement to be interviewed and, at the request of the reporter, we offered to facilitate a tour of our contracted assets.”

Against the backdrop of the narrative peddled by the author, ExxonMobil affirmed, “Guyana is a beautiful place, with beautiful people. We are happy to have the opportunity to operate and live in the communities of Guyana.”

The author on his twitter, in response to Exxon’s statement, said: “The New York Times pays the expenses of its reporters. And my piece was in no way derogatory toward the people of Guyana. Beautiful people, beautiful country. Problems, of course. And many, many Guyanese viewed my piece for what it was: critical but balanced journalism.”

Meanwhile Guyanese have taken to social media raising their concerns. Ronald Austin Jr. tweeted the author directly, saying, “I can say as a Graduate from the University of Guyana, I have not migrated and I [am] not infected with any disease. Just to make that clear.”

This was in response to another section of Krauss’ article which states: “A vast majority of college-educated youths emigrate to the United States or Canada, while those who stay behind experience high rates of HIV infection, crime and suicide.”

An overseas-based Guyanese Oneka LaBennett, tweeted the NYT: “Misrepresenting #Guyana as a place “forgotten by time” where children “play naked in the muggy heat” denies its complexity. Dangerous distortions like this inform the perilous trajectory of my homeland’s oil boom. Do better @nytimes.”

Krauss also responded to tweets from locals and defended his work. He also said, “…It is a troubling picture for sure, but sugar coating never helps.”