IT was a hot and humid afternoon on June 20 beneath the Baridi Benab at State House. The ceiling fans cooled down the temperature and the seats were comfortable. A nicely laid-out table at the back offered journalists attending a press conference with President Irfaan Ali an assortment of chilled coconut and plain water, juices and pastries.
I’ve been a journalist for 35 years and in my estimation, this press conference was a civil event as all things adversarial should be in a democratic and peaceful society. Everyone was courteous. Reporters were allowed to ask a question plus one follow-up if necessary. Some reporters took that as a green light to ask three or four questions. Still, the air of civility remained intact.
I was surprised at the amount of ink and social media space that was subsequently dedicated to criticising President Ali for a particular exchange that occurred at the very end of the presser. An editorial in a newspaper with a penchant for having to constantly apologise for publishing false news and making outlandish allegations, went so far as to suggest the President is ‘out of touch with reality’ for schooling and scolding a reporter.
Journalists and political actors are not friends nor are they enemies. Reporters come seeking information and they have the right to fact check it. Political actors have a right to defend their policies and actions. It is a give-and-take type of engagement. The famous White House correspondent Helen Thomas’ questions at White House press conferences were legendary. Thomas had a thick skin and she often dished it out and absorbed the hits with grace and dignity.
The reporter is a 28-year-old male. According to his LinkedIn profile, he attended St. Rose’s High School and has had five years of experience as a reporter. In most media circles, five years on the job would qualify him as an experienced journalist. He is most certainly not a novice reporter.
Here is the interaction between the reporter and President Ali that is the talk of the town:
Reporter: With elections creeping (up) next year, what is the government’s plan to increase the spending power of its citizens? And if I may give you a little context.
President Ali: No, I don’t need context. The government’s plan is to win the next elections by a greater majority.
Reporter: But if you win, what is the plan to increase the spending power of citizens?
President: We have been continuously increasing the availability of resources, improving the livelihood of people and increasing the disposable income in the pockets of persons. I just gave you an example of the housing programme and how it’s linked to increase their disposable income. How old are you?
Reporter: I am 28
President: Do you own your own home?
Reporter: Not as yet.
President: Have you applied for a houselot?
Reporter: No, not as yet.
President: Well, sit down, you’re not participating in the enhancement of your own life.
The President was asked a question and he answered it. As the Head of State, he has the moral and political authority to school a reporter if he wished. The entire presentation of President Ali focused on outlining the programmes and policies of his government – policies aimed at strengthening the economy, and our banking institutions and putting more money into the pockets of hardworking Guyanese.
A good reporter learns very early in his or her professional career that the most important skill to have is the ability to ask a fundamentally hard-working question. This reporter asked a lazy question and got the response he deserved.
What his editors should have done is sit him down and school him on how to ask a proper question, not cuddle him by writing a cheap editorial to score political points.
When journalists attend a press conference or media briefing, they are always representing the editorial platforms of the media organisations that dispatch them. It’s that simple. It is for this reason that journalists are often required to identify themselves and their organisation when they ask questions to elected officials at press conferences. These exchanges are entered into the record and preserved for historians to write about them at a later date. They are important records, not some cheap backroom exchange.
In my estimation, it is reckless for an editor of an adversarial newspaper to send a junior reporter to learn on the job at a press conference held by a head of state and then cry about it. On the other hand, no one expects reporters to attend a press conference to ‘whistle Dixie’ at political actors.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.
