GUYANA has made significant strides in several spheres of development due in large measure to good governance and prudent economic management. The return to office of the PPP/C administration in August 2020 after a hiatus of about five years following the controversial May 2015 general and regional elections, has once again set the stage for accelerated growth and development. In fact, the rate of economic growth has exceeded by far all reasonable expectations, as the country is now ranked as one of the fastest-growing economies, not only in the region, but in the world as a whole.

The growth-and-development momentum is not limited to the economic sphere. The country has shown progress in several other domains of development, including that of adherence to the rule of law, democratic forms of governance, respect for human rights, freedom of expression and press freedom, among others.

Only recently in observance of World Press Freedom Day, President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali underscored the importance of a free and independent press and pledged to enhance the professionalism of media workers in Guyana. In an address to launch a two-day National Media Conference and Symposium at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, President Ali made the point that the government has always been the most accessible to the media, an approach that he said will continue.

“There has never been anytime I am called upon, anywhere and not make myself available, not only to the media but the people of this country, because there is where I belong, there is where I feel comfortable;  I would not run away from that,” President Ali assured.

The freedom of the press in Guyana has not gone unnoticed by the international community. This was reflected in the fact that Guyana has moved up by 17 places on the World Press Freedom Index to 34 from among the 180 countries. This is indeed a commendable development for which the PPP/C Administration must be given credit.

The fact is that the press has an important ‘ ‘watchdog’ role to play in any democracy. Indeed, the role of the independent media was instrumental in exposing the fraudulent intention of the APNU+AFC Administration in collaboration with rogue elements from the GECOM Secretariat to derail democracy in the March 2, 2020 elections.

Guyana has come a long way in terms of freedom of expression and freedom of the press. Gone are the days when the opposition press was denied newsprint and faced with libel actions by the then PNC regime for daring to publish the truth. The media today is free to comment on issues of national importance without fear or intimidation. This is good for the political health of any society.

Ethical and responsible journalism is particularly important during elections period in terms of reducing tension, providing accurate information and creating space for exchange of ideas and creating room for compromise. Journalism must be based on facts and high ethical standards.

The need for balance and high ethical standards in the way information is presented to the public cannot be overstated. Too often, the tendency is for the media, especially the so-called free press, to engage in sensationalism and in some cases peddle their own agendas, which may or may not be in the best national interest.

Guyana has every reason to be proud of its current ranking, which can only get better under the enlightened policies of the PPP/C administration. This is unlike what is happening in several other countries, where journalists and media workers are killed for attempting to cover the news, as is currently the case in the Ukraine war.