I-News sold to Guyana Times; Editor resigns after correspondents are laid off

Former Minister of Natural Resources Robert Persaud has sold his I-News online media outfit to the Ramroop Media Group, Queens Atlantic Investments, which owns the Guyana Times and TV Guyana.

News Source understands that the deal was completed earlier this month unknowing to the I-News staff.

Just before the deal was finalized, the management of I-News laid off some of the correspondents while those who remained were told that December would be their last month of employ with the company.

The move forced the Editor in Chief of I-News Fareeza Haniff to tender her resignation effective December 31, 2015.

According to sources close to the Ramroop media group, it appeared as though Haniff only became aware of the sale when she was invited to a meeting recently with the company’s management and was introduced to Dr. Bobby Ramroop as the new owner of the online news organisation.

Ramroop is the head of the Ramroop Media Group and owner of the Guyana Times, which all fall under Queens Atlantic Investments Inc.

He is also a very close friend of Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo.  It is believed that Jagdeo has an interest in the media company owned by Ramroop.

Sources close to the I-News staff said they expressed shock over the decision to sell out the media entity to the opposition aligned Guyana Times’ owners.

Reports suggest that the former Government Minister, Robert Persaud, may have already migrated and left his wife behind to wrap up the deal before she joins him overseas.

Just recently, Persaud also sold out his I-Radio Love FM station to a Trinidadian company. News Source understands that he recently told the I-News staff members that he was finding it difficult to source advertisements for the website since leaving office as Minister.

During his time as Minister of Natural Resources, a number of companies linked to the mining sector advertised on the news website.