Dear Editor,
Notice has been taken of the involvement by the opposition parties and show of solidarity against the government’s draconian penalty towards Mr Sharma’s television (CNS 6). The government’s action has dire implications and the show of solidarity by the people, political parties and other groups must be commended. I join those condemning the government’s decision and do feel the decision is not only an attempt to discipline Mr Sharma but also an attempt to cripple him economically, steal the expertise of his staff and silence the voice of dissent. That said there is a growing and loud concern about the type of leadership offered by PNC leader, Mr Robert Corbin, and AFC leader, Mr Raphael Trotman.
While it is heartening to see Messrs. Corbin and Trotman’s involvement in the marches and petition for press freedom many wonder about the marches and petition yet to be held for their supporters’ freedom.
These gentlemen continue to feed impressions that their supporters’ problems take second place to their desire to preserve or shore up their image. Interestingly, Mr Sharma’s absence from the airwaves will be more missed by Messrs Corbin and Trotman’s supporters. In this era of seeming AFC and PNC inaction, CN Sharma became the only outlet for interaction and ventilation of the marginalised. Mr Sharma’s marches against VAT, rising cost of living and electricity presented glimmers of hope and sustenance to the excluded. CN Sharma represents the true voice of the dispossessed. His absence from the airwaves is surely missed.
On the other hand, neither Mr Corbin nor Trotman can make any convincing claim to caring about the poor and powerless, many of whom are their supporters. It is felt that this leadership type died with Mr Desmond Hoyte. The advent of the AFC, which led many to believe that party politics would been more representative driven has not materialised.
Mr Corbin may be advised that there is growing distrust among his supporters about his commitment to their well-being. In conversations with many of his supporters he is seen as partnering with the government at their expense and looking out for his own interest.
There have been many incidents cited to support the argument of Mr Corbin’s supporters being the recipients of government mistreatment and his level of involvement operating at unwillingness to act, lukewarm or total inaction. This is in spite of the powers at his disposal to either draw attention to the circumstances and/or correct them in meaningful ways. There has been no public protest by the AFC and PNC at the government destruction of the economic sustenance of the Buxton farmers; no public protest on the charge and incarceration of Oliver Hinckson; no public protest at the judicial injustice that have over the years kept Chief Magistrate Juliet Holder Allen off the bench; no public protest on the loss of well deserved state funding to Critchlow Labour College that inevitably denies educational opportunities to all, including the children and supporters of the AFC and PNC; no protest to white and blue collar and civilian crimes; no public protest to the injustices faced by the working class in the public service, many of whom are PNC and AFC supporters. And the list goes on and on.
One continues to glean from the newspapers a seeming refusal by Mr Corbin to fix the problems within the Guyana Labour Union where he is President General. A strong case has also been made about the reason for his union leaving the TUC and its presence in FITUG, widely held to be the PPP’s federation. With CNS 6 off the air and Mr Corbin’s inability to host his weekly call in programme it will be harder for him to mask his perceived inaction. Much hope is also not set by Mr Trotman’s leadership. Additionally, the absence of CNS 6 leaves the field wide open for speculation as to the outlet that will be used by the aggrieved to ventilate their injustices and concerns.
Yours faithfully,
Dr Vivian B Bobb
