-spreads untruths; appears threatened by newspaper’s objective reporting, publication of his inconsistent rhetoric

IN his latest attack on sections of the press, Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton has resorted to the propagation of false information regarding the operations of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL), publisher of the Guyana Chronicle.

Norton, who was previously called out for attempts to direct the media, and his abrasive approach towards journalists, launched an attack on GNNL during his press conference at Congress Place, on Friday.

Norton decided to spread misinformation about this publication which has consistently highlighted the inconsistencies in the rhetoric emanating from Congress Place.

In what could be interpreted as an organised plot, well-known People’s Progressive Party (PPP) critic Mark Benschop questioned the PNC-R Leader about alleged racial discrimination and the supposed lack of audits within GNNL.

“Complaints have come to us and we will investigate and pronounce on them,” Norton answered.

However, when pressed by a reporter from this publication to provide evidence to support his claims, Norton went on a fishing expedition and claimed that racial discrimination and lack of accountability is not just restricted to GNNL. He leveled accusations against several other entities which are known for reporting objectively on matters related to his party.

Norton never gave a direct answer to the question but instead attempted to prop up his disturbing comments.

UNTRUTHS ABOUT AUDITED ACCOUNTS
On Norton’s claim about unaudited accounts, the fact is that GNNL is classified as a public corporation and has regular audits.

In fact, all of GNNL’s accounts have been audited up to 2022, with a final audit opinion to be issued for 2022. The 2023 audit is a work in progress.

MISINFORMATION ON USE OF TAX DOLLARS
Further, Benschop added to a slew of misinformation by claiming that “hundreds of millions” of tax payers’ dollars are being spent on GNNL.

This was another concocted notion, as GNNL does not receive a subvention from the government.

LIES ABOUT RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
As it relates to the allegations of racial discrimination, the facts based on the company’s employment information show that Afro- Guyanese make up 74 per cent of GNNL’s employment, while East Indians make up 20 per cent, persons of mixed-race account for five per cent and Amerindians, one per cent. Further, regarding the breakdown and categorisation of the employment figures, seven of the senior employees are East Indians, 12 are Afro-Guyanese, and one is of Mixed Race.

GNNL’s General Manager, Moshamie Ramotar, in an invited comment stressed that the company has always strived to cultivate a positive work environment that is conducive to all of its staff, regardless of their ethnicity, religion or any other individual practices/beliefs.

APNU+AFC’S MISMANAGEMENT
Notably, the well-being of the staff, however, was threatened under the APNU+AFC government from 2015-2020, when the company was faced with a slew of lawsuits and was pushed to the brink of bankruptcy.

A deviation from the standard operating procedures and editorial policy under the previous APNU+AFC government exposed the GNNL to millions of dollars in liabilities.

JUDGMENTS AGAINST GNNL
Amidst the slew of claims for defamation and libel, judgements have been awarded against GNNL to the tune of over $50 million.

Altogether, GNNL was exposed to claims for over $6 billion.

CONTROVERSIAL AGREEMENT
Also, in one of the several lawsuits against GNNL, the company was ordered to act on external directives, from the APNU+AFC administration that were not in its best interest. The company was ordered by the former Prime Minister’s office to pay seven million dollars to the claimant.

After the payout was made, Chief Justice (ag), Roxane George, dismissed the very lawsuit which was the basis for the payout. The judgement was dated July 15, 2020, and the agreement for the payout was done prior to the ruling.

The legal suit in reference was filed by Rickford Burke and it was extended to other media agencies as well. The Chief Justice ruled that Burke led no evidence to support the actions brought and resultantly could not substantiate claims that his reputation was damaged in any way. In dismissing the claims, Justice George ordered Burke to pay a total of $400,000 in court costs to the named respondents.

While the respondents in the case would have benefitted financially, it was the opposite for GNNL, which incurred an unwarranted expense of seven million dollars.

DIRE FINANCIAL POSITION
The mounting liabilities, coupled with the effects of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, had restricted the company’s ability to provide salary increases and conduct other critical administrative work.

From August 2020 to date, the new management team and Board of Directors have rolled out cost-recovery measures with the aim of staving off a financial crisis that could have placed almost 100 employees on the breadline.