Dear Editor,
The Stabroek News would most likely argue that the media is a link between the people and the government and as such the newspaper is well within its rights to highlight the negatives in Guyana’s society. But the newspaper fails to realise that in other countries, developed countries included, the media never fails to highlight the positives as well and thereby create a balance.
If someone living overseas reads the Stabroek News’s editorials, then he/she would assume that nothing good ever happens in Guyana and that there has been no progress in all these years, when this is not true. During the last 15 years, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has brought stability and economic prosperity to Guyana, and of this we as Guyanese should be proud.
The world is now a global village and Guyana is not the only country which experiences some unfavourable issues from time to time. However, the newspaper seems not to notice this. I guess the argument would be that the newspaper is based in Guyana and should therefore focus on events happening in Guyana; but we must take cognisance of the events taking place globally which have some bearing on us.
Guyana is a small country regarding population and we should be glad that we are better off than some countries on this continent. People often claim that Guyana is unstable but we are a rock when compared with some other countries.
Ecuador has changed a number of presidents in the last 10 years. No other country changes prime ministers as often as Japan. Our neighbour Suriname has problems right now and people are calling for the resignation of that country’s president.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds has been holding that portfolio for 15 years now and that in itself speaks to Guyana’s stability. Dr Leslie Ramsammy is the longest serving Minister of Health in Guyana. How many countries can boast these things?
Being fair to Guyana, we must look at the developments as well but the Stabroek News chooses not to do that and as such, paints a one-sided picture of our dear country. Guyana has truly developed in the last 15 years and we must celebrate our achievements, instead of trying to pull wool over people’s eyes.
Yours faithfully,
Gabriel Charles
