ON Monday, Guyana joined the rest of the world in celebrating World Press Freedom Day, a day which is set aside to internationally recognise and commemorate the need for the press to have freedom to information, in order to properly carry out their mandate of keeping the public informed.

The Guyana Chronicle spoke with a few young local journalists to get their thoughts and perceptions on what press freedom means to them, and what are some of the challenges that continue to stymie press freedom in Guyana.

Navendra Seoraj, Assistant Editor (ag), Guyana Chronicle
Years in the media: seven
“Free press is the hallmark of any democratic society, as it is through the eyes of journalists that the public sees the workings of the state, events and other social or economic changes that occur. The ability to work without censorship is the dream of any journalist, as it affords them the opportunity to critically analyse any issue or topic, and properly inform the public of such. In the execution of their mandate, however, journalists, particularly in Guyana, have encountered a challenge or bottleneck in accessing information. Without information there is no story, so it is imperative that public officers be forthcoming with information.”

Thandeka Percival, journalist, Stabroek News
Years in the media: six
“The most basic definition of press freedom includes access to information and the right to responsibly publish that information without fear of interference or attack from the state or their surrogates. Access to information continues to be a hindrance. There is an [Access to Information] Act but no Commissioner to allow for the act to be enforced. We have policies being crafted, but journalists cannot interrogate the data which informs their formulation or evaluate their effectiveness because all that is released are spurious talking points. Real questions are deflected and those who ask them are sidelined and attacked. There are quite a few things that need to be done, but we can start by decriminalising defamation and properly activating the Access to Information Act.”

Jarryl Bryan, journalist, Guyana Times/Evening News
Years in the media: five
“Press freedom for me means unencumbered access to information for the public good. That means, public officials making themselves available and answering their phones. It also means public officials being knowledgeable of the issues under their remit. I think public officials not answering when the press calls is a significant challenge in Guyana. I must say that some of them take their duties under press freedom seriously and do try to be as accessible and as helpful as possible. I just wish this was across the board.”

Kemol King, Senior Communications Officer, Department of Public Information (DPI)
Years in the media: three
“I believe press freedom means having environments where journalists, editors and publishers are not restricted by government overreach into their work, or by intimidation from the government or other institutions. I’ll go with a very obvious situation, in pointing out impediments to a free press — the 2020 elections. Journalists faced intimidation from supporters of the then ruling party throughout the saga. Barriers, literal and otherwise, were also erected by GECOM to inhibit journalists’ access to information. A newspaper columnist wrote a piece and had it posted on Facebook by a popular radio host. The piece singled out my colleagues and I who covered the elections for Kaieteur News, saying that our mothers should have snapped our necks at birth. The post was reported and reported. But I felt very real fear because of pointed attacks like that on my person. I felt that people were trying to incite violence against myself and my colleagues because of the work we were doing.”

Rupa Seenarine, journalist, Guyana Times/Evening News
Years in the media: three
“Press freedom in my opinion is the power given to media operatives to execute their duties without fear, intimidation or any form of suppression. It is getting to the truth, holding authorities accountable, so that the population can be appraised [sic] of current affairs. Journalists have a responsibility to the people and it can only be achieved if there is liberty in the execution of our duties. However, there is the challenge of misinformation in the public domain which affects credible outlets. With inaccurate reports circulating on social media among other outlets, people are often misled. In tense situations, such as the protracted 2020 elections period, it is also a dangerous profession when in the field.”

Kenlyn Parris, reporter, Guyana Chronicle
Years in the media: two
“Press freedom for me is giving people a space where they can share their beliefs and stories without interference. The press is where many look to keep up to date with the everyday affairs of the world. Press freedom is the oxygen that drives credibility and integrity, but in Guyana we still have a long way to go.”