The Austria-based International Press Institute (IPI) says that the withdrawal of advertisements from Stabroek News by two state-owned companies is “an indication that the government (of Guyana) has decided to increase its pressure” on the newspaper.
The withdrawal of ads by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (Guysuco) and the Guyana Power Light (GPL) followed the axing of ministry ads from Stabroek News by the Government Information Agency (GINA). GINA has said that the withdrawal of the ads is purely a commercial decision but has not yet provided any substantiation of this. Stabroek News Editor-in-Chief David de Caires had said that the cut-off was a political decision and followed a string of attacks on the newspaper by President Bharrat Jagdeo. He added that the cut-off had tarnished the government’s previously good press freedom record.
In its second statement on the matter in two weeks, IPI said that Stabroek News believes instructions were given to individuals in Guysuco and GPL responsible for placing advertisements in the media and as a result the boards of the companies were unaware of the policy change.
“The decision is an indication that the government has decided to increase its pressure on the Stabroek News”, IPI Director Johann P. Fritz said in the press release.
“I would encourage the government to refrain from further inflaming the situation and invite it to examine other ways of resolving the problem.
“The distribution of advertising is an unfair weapon in the hands of government which can endanger freedom of the press. Governments believing in democracy must look at ways of removing this power and creating procedures that ensure advertising is distributed in an open and transparent manner”, said Fritz.
IPI is a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists who are dedicated to the furtherance and safeguarding of press freedom, protection of freedom of opinion and expression, and the promotion of the free flow of news and information.
In an earlier press release on January 25 on the withdrawal of ministry ads, IPI called for greater transparency in the awarding of advertisements here to the media. It had also suggested the setting up of what it calls “a blue ribbon Advisory Committee on Advertising” drawn from recognized industry experts to ensure the equitable distribution of government ads. “In order for the disposal of government advertising to be equitable, the government must create procedures that are transparent and accountable.”
“I would call on the government to create a blue ribbon Advisory Committee on Advertising drawn from recognised industry experts in Guyana and tasked with the role of ensuring that the disposal of government advertising is carried out in a fair manner,” Fritz was quoted then as saying.
