AG flays U.S. ambassador over freedom of press

The government of Guyana views freedom of expression and by extension,  press freedom as indispensable, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall said, as he took U.S. Ambassador D Brent Hardt to task over comments made about press freedom here.

U.S. Ambassador D Brent Hardt in conversation with Mexican Ambassador to Guyana Francisco Olguin at a reception to mark World Press Freedom Day

“All of Guyana must embrace and cherish freedom of the press in every form and fashion,” Nandlall declared at a reception hosted by Ambassador Hardt in observance of World Press Freedom Day, which was celebrated  around the globe on Thursday.

“Sentiments by a distinguished judge from the supreme court in India that intellectual paralysis creeps over any society that denies, in however subtle form, freedom ofexpression to its citizens is a philosophical underpinning, which is strongly embraced by this administration.”

The AG said the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) knows very well the consequences of denial of press freedom, since in the 1970s, the party was denied newsprint and was unable to persuade judges in the highest court in the land at that time that such material was vital to the freedom of the press.

Concomitant responsibility

Nandlall emphasised that freedom of the press carries with it a “high and serious” responsibility and those who champion freedom of the press must, with equal force, stress its concomitant responsibility. He said they must remember that an unregulated and irresponsible press militates against freedom and democracy.

This is why government has always advocated for those in the media to ensure that they publish information with due care. He said the world is littered with many examples of what an irresponsible press can bring, such as the destruction of an entire society in the case of Rwanda.

The legal affairs minister noted that freedom of the press is a right guaranteed by the Constitution, so it enjoys the highest protection within Guyana’s laws.

Breaking of monopoly

Speaking on the issuance of radio licences, which is a hotly debated issue at the moment, he pointed out that the administration broke the state’s monopoly of the airwaves and facilitated further liberalisation of the other traditional media.

“The record shows that it is under this administration that two additional daily newspapers and over 20 privately owned television stations commenced their operations throughout Guyana. Today, they operate without any interference by the government,” he said.

The AG said each application was considered only on its merits and the matters arising from the issuance of radio licences are before the courts, and will be fully and properly ventilated at that forum. Nandlall added  that the distribution of radio licences was based on a wide geographic spread throughout Guyana, as well as multiethnic composition of the recipients.

Nandlall said there are some conditions and restrictions which such freedom carries in the Constitution, but further clarified that similar conditions are found in all constitutions in the democratic world for the protection of the public interest.

In his remarks, Ambassador Hardt said he supports the recent initiatives by the International Press Institution and welcomes the positive signals by both the government and the opposition in Guyana toward greater press freedom.

He commended Guyanese journalists for the vital role they play in preserving and strengthening Guyana’s democracy.

He said on World Press Freedom Day, there is a need to speak out for the protection of journalists and to acknowledge the vital role the press plays in the society.

This will ensure that the human rights development plans are met and freedom of expression is safeguarded within society, he said.

Ambassador Hardt noted that Guyana has a solid foundation of press freedom.

President Donald Ramotar had last week flayed the U.S. for its criticism of Guyana, saying the country should not lecture anyone until it cleaned its house first.

 “I don’t feel we should be lectured upon; I don’t think that anybody has the moral right to lecture upon us.”

He drew reference to the Guantanamo Bay detention camp in Cuba, a detainment facility of the U.S. military, where more than 100 prisoners are currently on a hunger strike to protest abuse.

He also spoke of the case of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who has been virtually a prisoner in the Ecuadorian embassy in London for 11 months now. Assange sought refuge there after publishing a number of leaked U.S. documents on his website, WikiLeaks.

The world began observing World Press Freedom Day 20 years ago. Today, much has changed in the media landscape, as technology revolutionises the way the media works and disseminates information. However, the issue of freedom of the press remains relevant.