Press focus on accountability has never been more important in Guyana

-western envoys say in joint statement to mark World Press Freedom Day

The Heads of Mission of the ABC-EU countries say that press attention to accountability has never been more important in Guyana with the large revenue stream entering government coffers.

In a joint statement to mark World Press Freedom Day today,  the heads of mission of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and the European Union (EU) said that the work of the press is particularly important as there is a regularly stated intent by the government to use the large amount of resources for development across all regions and races in Guyana.

`Press attention to accountability has never been more important in Guyana with a historically large revenue stream entering government coffers and a regularly stated intent to use those resources for a development agenda that cuts across all regions and races’,  said the statement by Ambassador of the United States, Sarah-Ann Lynch; British High Commissioner, Jane Miller; Canadian High Commissioner,  Mark Berman and EU Ambassador Dr. Fernando Ponz Cantó.

The joint statement will be seen as a fillip to the work being done across the media spectrum to hold the government accountable with the advent of the oil and gas economy and the large streams of money flowing into the economy.

The envoys said that World Press Freedom Day being observed under the theme `Journalism under Digital Siege’ gave them an opportunity to acknowledge the significant work of journalists, take cognisance of the fundamental principles of press freedom and assess the current state of press freedom locally and around the world.

“We recognise that media freedom is a cornerstone of democratic societies and essential to the protection of human rights, fundamental freedoms and universal values anchored in the Universal Declaration for Human Rights.

“The media plays an essential role in our societies, defending and advancing the truth and amplifying the voices of the public by sharing stories authentically”, they said.

The joint statement noted that journalists have been at the forefront in times of danger in Guyana, including during incidents such as fires and flooding and they tell the “heart-breaking stories of women and families who have been victims of domestic violence”.

The envoys also said that members of the media are a key source of information on national matters such as Guyana’s rapid development, while at the same time holding the government, opposition, parliamentarians and others accountable.

“There is also a larger principle at stake that strong democracies require free information flow in the public marketplace of opinions and ideas.  As inconvenient as criticism can be to government officials and other leaders, it is an essential part of the democratic cacophony”, the envoys said.

They noted that throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the media helped to keep societies updated about developments, to learn of best practices to prevent the spread of the virus and to counter false or misleading information.

With matters of life and the quality of life in the balance, they said that journalists must be allowed to report facts freely without attacks and acts of intimidation or censorship at a time where the capacity to speak truth is constantly under attack around the world.

“Media freedom also requires freedom from all forms of undue influence or pressure, be it political, economic or financial, so that they can report independently and objectively”, the ABC-EU envoys asserted.

They said that the abuse and harassment of journalists while doing their jobs must also not be tolerated.

“Female journalists and members of the LGBTQ community are often victims of inappropriate comments and sexual harassment and that must end”, they declared.

In a time where journalists are increasingly using a digital space, the envoys said that it is clear that bold action is needed from governments to acknowledge and address the evolving media environment. As the media continues to transform locally, the envoys said that the presence and voice of the Guyana Press Association is even more pivotal and they also noted with satisfaction Guyana’s membership in the Media Freedom Coalition.

“Together, we must engage constructively to find practical solutions to protect the voices of journalists in both the traditional and digital space.

“We thank journalists in Guyana for their continuous work which has not only informed but uplifted the voices of communities and we commit to continuing to support the local media and the fundamental principles of press freedom”, the envoys stated.