The People's Progressive Party took the Alliance for Change (AFC) and its Vice-Chairman, Moses Nagamootoo to task over the latter's comments on press freedom in Guyana. In a release the party said Nagamootoo, whom it described as an opportunistic politician,and his party have never hesitated to demand accountability and the shouldering of responsibility from public officials despite the transparency which prevails in Government and it is therefore surprised of his position that Government is “obsessed with state control of the media and muzzling free expression”. It said by his utterances, Nagamootoo is openly advocating that the media act irresponsibly and not be held accountable like every other estate in the national jurisdiction.Read the full statement below:
The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has noted the recent diatribe emanating from the mouth of Alliance for Change (AFC) member, Mr. Moses Nagamootoo, with regards to press freedom in Guyana. His ranting and raving in response to comments made on Press Freedom in the Caribbean and Guyana makes it pellucidly clear that Nagamootoo’s pronouncements and his penchant to deliberately misrepresent and misinform, continues unabated.
Nagamootoo and the AFC have never been hesitated to demand accountability and the shouldering of responsibility from public officials despite the transparency that prevails in Government. It is mind-boggling therefore why Nagamootoo would take the position that Government is “obsessed with state control of the media and muzzling free expression”.
Such gross misinterpretation is unbecoming of a University graduate though not unusual for an opportunistic politician performing as it were on a platform of double standards. By his utterances, Mr. Nagamootoo is openly advocating that the media act irresponsibly and not be held accountable like every other estate in the national jurisdiction. The PPP views this as an act of gross irresponsibility on the part of Nagamootoo.
In addition, Nagamootoo and his Party, as evident in a Stabroek News’ article of Thursday, May 15, 2014, boldly proclaimed that the AFC is against any form of regulation of the media. Further, in the said article he noted that, “AFC believes that our media ought to continue the search by self-regulation of credible standards of journalistic ethics and responsibility…..(sic?) we do not need to regulate the press, to make laws that could fetter it, that could muzzle it…..”
Given this foolishness, the PPP must ask why then would Nagamootoo and the AFC want to impose regulations on NCN and GINA? Why would they want to muzzle these State entities by denying them funding to continue operating and for the wellbeing of Staff? Why would Nagamootoo conveniently refuse to accept that the denial of funds to these two entities is a wanton attack on press freedom? Herein lies the brazen double standards of Nagamootoo and the AFC.
In the past, the PPP called for the establishment of a Media Oversight Body in an effort to curb “gutter journalism” in view of the prevalence of wanton misinformation and fabrication by some private media houses. Such a body would help guard against public malpractices in the media. Our position remains the same. Given Nagamootoo’s inflexible position, it can only be concluded that he and the AFC supports perpetration of malpractices of misinformation, fabrication and personal attacks on Party and government officials by sections of the private media.
This support for Media lawlessness is not surprising since innocent Guyanese were beaten and robbed following the AFC instigated mob violence at Agricola and Linden on which Nagamootoo and the AFC remains ominously silent to this day.
The PPP strongly believes that accountability and responsibility cannot be confined to one section or estate in any society. Account must be taken of the fact that internationally unfortunate incidents were precipitated as a result of irresponsible practices and a lack of accountability by Media practioners. The genocide in Rwanda is a painful example.
Nagamootoo’s tenure as a former Minister of Information was an abysmal failure. Today his failures continue to manifest themselves in his inability to comprehend the issues at home and abroad. Further, his failure is compounded by the bitter and blind hatred he has developed for the PPP since he failed to convince his party colleague that he is Presidential material.
Our Party reiterates that as a government we will continue to demonstrate our commitment to the preservation of press freedom, freedom of expression and all other freedoms which were restored when we assumed Office in October 1992.
The PPP’s track record on press freedom is unmatched in the history of our nation. The overwhelming evidence of four television stations, one radio station, and two daily newspapers when we took office to some twenty television stations, over ten radio stations and four daily newspapers today, is incontestable. This along with the open and free environment created by our Government which has instilled confidence for ubiquitous internet blogs, online news services, newspapers columnists and television commentators to operate without fear of censorship remains an indelible hallmark of our dedication to the tenets of press freedom.
Moreover, it is reflection of a complete transformation from the denial and oppression of press and other freedoms when the People’s National Congress (PNC) regime was in government. History will vindicate the PPP/C Government’s efforts to free Guyanese and journalists from the shackles of oppression and suppression under the PNC with whom the AFC is now in bed.
source: http://www.newguymedia.com
