Georgetown: The Guyana Press Association has condemned Opposition Leader Mr Bharrat Jagdeo for advising supporter of the party to refrain from buying newspapers which do not support the views of the party.
According to the Press Association, “ the GPA noted, with concern, a recent call by Opposition Leader Mr Bharrat Jagdeo for supporters of the opposition People’s Progressive Party to refrain from buying newspapers which do not support the views of the party.”
“Please ensure that our people don’t buy newspapers where the sole purpose of the newspaper is to destroy your party,” Mr Jagdeo said at an event on October 5, 2015.
Mr Jagdeo’s statement is both dangerous and instructive.
Dangerous, because it highlights the fact that Mr Jagdeo is bent on stifling the growth and operations of the media, something which he brazenly practiced as President when he withdrew state advertisements from the Stabroek News. Instructive, because Mr Jagdeo’s missive demonstrates that he understands the powerful role of the free press.
Mr Jagdeo’s statement is designed to stifle the revenue base of the privately-owned media and frustrates their efforts to provide the populace with news and information.
The Guyana Press Association condemns Mr Jagdeo’s statement and that of any other politician or official who attempts to thwart the work of the free press.
The media in Guyana continues to be the watchdog of our democratic processes and the Guyana Press Association rallies around a free and independent press.
The Executive of the Guyana Press Association takes this opportunity to urge all media workers to continue to seek truth and report it fearlessly.
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