MEDIA entities should consider themselves fortunate since they enjoy an environment which is free from high levels of intimidation and censorship.

Unlike some countries that are faced with the most repressive media environments, Guyana has allowed the media to operate without interference.

Some are contending that there is no press freedom in Guyana but were they no press freedom, how is it that so many persons are allowed to express their views without hindrance?

According to a media study “Freedom of the Press 2009: A Global Survey of Media Independence” Guyana has regained its status of free rating.

The only two countries in the Region that are rated ‘not free’ are Cuba and Venezuela.

It is with this freedom that media entities in our country are allowed to operate freely.

Steady decline has been taking place in countries such as Mexico, Argentina, and Peru in the Americas; Thailand, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka in Asia; and Senegal in sub-Saharan Africa.

I believe we should count our lucky stars and consider ourselves fortunate that we are not like some countries which are facing the heavy hands of repressive governments that stifle free expression.
DIANNE SAMARIA