Dear Editor,
Your ‘Big-Photo No Story’ on the front page of Stabroek News (September 23) is an affront to the reading public. The editor of Stabroek News should explain to readers the news value of two donkeys standing in a bus shed. Stabroek News is well aware, or should be well aware, that this model of journalism can sell many papers because it is embedded in the politics of fear, anxiety, and ridicule. Stabroek News likes to present itself as the paper of ‘intellectuals’ but judging from the front page noted above, it appears to be more interested in winning the donkey journalism contest.
I want Stabroek News to know that we understand the subliminal message that is being imparted. One of your columnists recently stated that Guyana has a donkey cart economy. Am I to understand that there is no relationship between that columnist’s representation, and the image you decided to present on your front page?
Stabroek News should also understand that apart from folks in the reading public, many people in government are quite capable of deconstructing any concatenation of symbols you may decide to unleash. If you will permit me, Editor, I do want you to know that we do know a thing or two about discourse analysis, deconstruction and semiotics. Have a good day.
Yours faithfully,
Randy Persaud
