Dear Editor,
With the case against Robert Simels just about to go to the jury please allow me the opportunity to point out what I believe to be the salient issue of this trial. Firstly, this trial has not been reported on by the Guyanese media just for the sake of a trial or of Robert Simels. Simels himself is of little or no importance to Guyana and I sincerely doubt that any Guyanese would feel one way or the other regarding the jury’s verdict, whatever it may be. This trial has been covered strictly for its relevancy to Guyana, and Simels for his links to Shaheed Khan. I have seen some calls being made for patience until the end of these proceedings, and allegations of selective reporting. Those would be fair in a different setting or context, but are totally missing the point in this case. The main issue here is not the innocence or guilt of Robert Simels and whether he is forced to do time or not. The testimony, evidence and documents being presented by both sides painting Guyana in a decidedly less than positive light are the bones of contention. The media has a right to focus on these issues and these issues alone without necessarily having to paint an entire picture of the trial which might include the ethnic and gender composition of the jury and Simels’ likelihood of freedom or incarceration. These are issues that might be covered at a trial of a Guyanese in Guyana, but given the context of the Simels case, not every issue needs be examined. It is entirely fair for it to be treated exactly as Judge Gleeson treated several defence documents (letters by Simels) tendered. Only relevant portions of these documents were accepted into evidence and with the instruction of the judge to the jury that the documents do not imply truth, but rather may or may not go to show the defendant’s state of mind at the time of writing. Likewise, the testimony of Selwyn Vaughn, Peter Myers and the linkages made to the government need not be taken by themselves as truth. But the media need to report that these linkages have been made in a court of law under oath and, given that information, it is up to the government, the opposition and the Guyanese public to make of it what they will. The opposition has used it to press for an investigation; the public is still digesting it and the government (or at least some government officials) has chosen to reject it outright without affording answers to the questions raised, even questioning the manner in which the news has been presented to the public.
Enjoying one of my favourite movies (The American President starring Michael Douglas, Michael J Fox, Annette Benning) a few nights ago reminded me of the role of the media and the rights of the public. In one very instructive scene, Fox, a close member of the President’s inner circle, openly questions the President (Michael Douglas) and this draws a swift rebuke from Chief of Staff Martin Sheen. But Fox proceeds to remind Sheen and Douglas by extension, that it is not only the right of every American to question their elected officials but a responsibility. Substitute the title of the movie with ‘The Guyanese Minister’ and the scenario is the same. It is the right and responsibility of every Guyanese to question our elected officials and hold them to a higher standard than the rest of us, without having labels, such as ‘biased’ and ‘antigovernment’ hurled back at them. Minister Ramsammy has always been one of the more accessible, media friendly and pleasant ministers of the government, second maybe only to the late Sash Sawh. I am therefore more than surprised by his reactions and lack of movement to clear his (and by extension, the government’s) name in this fiasco. Simels may yet be freed, but does this automatically dismiss the testimony and evidence presented? He may also be found guilty, but does that by itself imply that everything presented in court was the truth? No, in both instances. It is only for the media to report what is relevant to Guyana and for the Guyanese public to make of it what they will, and for the politicians to do what they believe necessary to instil confidence and trust in them.
Yours faithfully,
Duane Fowler
EMW Communications
WRHM 7 Capitol News
