Georgetown : Minister within the Ministry of Finance Juan Edghill made a strong defence of the Government Information Agency (GINA), an entity whose budget allocation was threatened even before the presentation of the 2014 National Budget.
Speaking during the debate of Budget 2014 last evening, and pointing to the accusations made by the opposition that the agency is simply a mouth piece for the ruling Party, Minister Edghill stated that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has the ability to represent itself through its own Party organs.
He pointed out a list of countries which have Government Information Agencies to which they are entitled, similar to Guyana. The Minister explained that the role of GINA would be affected if its budget is cut since it would result in the loss of jobs.
The non-functioning of the agency would also curb the constitutional rights of thousands of Guyanese to receive the information needed on the work of Government and their programmes and projects planned.
The Minister also added that cutting GINA’s budget would be a direct attack on the press freedom of the agency, curbing its right to perform its function.
The opposition using their one-seat majority cut GINA’s budget in 2012 and 2013, along with other allocations for major projects and entities.
