THE term ‘alternative facts’ was a phrase used by Kellyanne Conway, Counsellor to the United States President in 2017. At that time, she was defending the White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer’s false statement about Donald Trump’s inauguration attendance numbers.
She explained that Spicer was giving alternative facts when pressed by newsman, Chuck Todd, who said ‘alternative facts are not facts.’
Since then, politicians all over the world have been caught dishing out alternative facts to the public whenever it suits their agenda or whenever they were really hiding the true and factual extent of a crisis or situation.
Coming closer to home, the governments in the Caribbean have long been suspected of spewing alternative facts and half-truths whenever it suits their political and public agendas.
In Guyana, the media has had countless instances and examples of alternative facts given to the public by the government and the opposition, throughout the periods of 1960s to 2023, which they investigate only to end up exposing the truth in countless follow-up reports.
Now, the Guyana Press Association (GPA) seems to be following suit. It is seeking to defend the indefensible, and hiding the real issue which was the alleged rigging of its internal elections to have a certain outcome. It is now dishing out statement after statement trying to place alternative facts in the public domain, saying the government of the day is seeking to undermine and discredit the GPA.
It appeared to be telling an alternative fact in its press statement of May 19, 2023, that Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo continues to attack and intimidate the media here at his weekly press conferences.
Firstly, the GPA must stop peddling alternative facts and answer tough questions about the recent elections. In order to stop the accusations of fraud being made by Neil Marks and other journalists from the media fraternity, it must allow a fair, impartial and in-depth investigation into its practices and alleged conventions.
If the GPA does not have anything to hide and is an organisation that is truly committed to journalistic virtues of transparency, accountability and good governance, then it must bring an abrupt end to the chaos that is ensuing and engulfing the executive. Nothing short will suffice!
One must be tired of sidestepping and tip-toeing around the perplexing issue.
Secondly, the GPA should stop issuing poorly written statements in which it attempts to condemn the government.
It is bad and shameful when the GPA goes on a cussing spree in its statements in order to make a case, using alternative facts as opposed to solid facts.
When an actual case of some journalist being intimidated or attacked arises, it will not get the type of response from the public because the GPA is crying wolf too many times to be taken seriously.
It must man up and toughen its skin, and accept the constructive criticisms of all stakeholders in society because it will only lead to improvements in the organisation. If the GPA, as an organisation, is in the public business of dishing it to the government and criticising the conduct of politicians, then the GPA must be able to take criticism.
Thirdly, Vice President Jagdeo is on point when he says there are more questions than answers flowing from the recent judgment of the Chief Justice on the challenge against GPA.
This ruling exposes several issues that were never known to the public and the media circles. At the moment, any journalist worth their salt would call for the GPA to undergo some form of constitutional reform that would set more clearly defined rules and guidelines that govern its membership, disciplinary actions, elections and such matters.
At the moment, it is operating in a rogue and political fashion. It is not representative of the journalistic pool in Guyana. It is not racially diverse and is operating with questionable media ethics. After all, this month would be a good time to start opening the room for discussions on reforming, strengthening and modernising the GPA.
Finally, the entire media corps knows that the present GPA is using reports on World Press Freedom here with the intention of keeping the government in line or else it will ensure Guyana is marked down in the next report.
Staying true to form, this PPP/C Government will not stop dismantling the lies and deceptions contained in the alternative facts wickedly and deliberately spread by some media, hiding behind a veil of being apolitical and objective.
From all corners, the government appears to be serious in its fight against misinformation, fake news and disinformation in the form of alternative facts being spread by some media.
So, the GPA should take several seats and address its dirty linen, making sure its house is in order.
