THE Government of Guyana said it has noted recent fulminations by certain sections of the media, including last Monday’s editorial by Stabroek News, on the matter of the decision taken to establish a website to publish Government advertisements with resultant implications for placement of such advertisements in the print media.
In a statement yesterday, the Government said any serious examination of these comments by specific privately owned media houses would lead to the inescapable conclusion that these comments are motivated by nothing other than blatant self-interest and commercial considerations, and are devoid of any principle or objectivity.
For example, the Stabroek News’ editorial makes reference to the need for value-for-money, but in almost the same breath dismisses the obvious economies that would be generated by the establishment of the website.
“Indeed, even more brazenly, the editorial acknowledges the potential for the website to generate savings, but then seeks to ascribe negative motive to Government for wishing to generate such savings,” the Government stated.
In addition, comments such as those contained in the Stabroek News’ editorial completely ignore the fact that the use of electronic or other dedicated means to publish Government advertisements is a well-established practice the world over, it added.
“Many Governments use websites to publish ads, while others use an official publication such as the Gazette to publish ads. There are, in fact, very few examples that can be cited from the rest of the world, where Government advertisements are placed in mainstream newspapers on a routine ongoing basis,” the Government pointed out.
It said those media houses need to be frank with their readership and the general public about their vested interest in this matter and, if they wish to retain any semblance of objectivity, set aside those vested interests and acknowledge the obvious benefits that can flow from advertisements being more readily available to a wider audience utilising modern technology.