I WISH to endorse a letter that was published in the Stabroek News edition of April 17, 2023, with the caption, “Freedom of the press is lopsided in favour of critics of the government,” authored by Dr Randolph Persaud.

The contents of Dr. Persaud’s letter is 100% accurate, because I can attest to this. This is a matter that I contemplated writing about a while ago but opted not to do so. However, since Dr Persaud was spot on, and I can also relate, coupled with the fact that I am in a position to do a comparison, I will now reveal the following.

Like Dr Persaud, my letters are published selectively by Stabroek News, and when they do, often-times about 50%–80% of the contents are rejected. Conversely, I saw a letter by Dr Vincent Adams published in both Stabroek News and Kaieteur News. Interestingly, I also happened to be privy to the original letter submitted, which is 1564 words long, and the SN version, which is 1546 words long. An inconsequential 1% was edited as it has not distorted the author’s fundamental argument. Whereas, omitting 80% usually distorts the thrust of the original argument.

In the case of Kaieteur News, they do not publish any of my letters. Yet, they publish criticisms of my articles that appear elsewhere in other writers’ print and online media platforms. And they do not even have the decency to allow me to respond to those criticisms. Quite an unethical practice by that particular media house.

Yours sincerely,
Joel Bhagwandin
Public Policy and Financial Analyst