In the run up to upcoming general elections, Guyana Press Association (GPA) President Gordon Moseley yesterday urged local media workers to set the tone for a new political discourse, while ensuring fairness and balance in their coverage at all times.
Addressing the opening of a Media Encounter facilitated by the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), at Georgetown Club, which was later interrupted by columnist Freddie Kissoon and activist Mark Benschop, Moseley told participants that the media have a very important role to play in the shaping of any society and in the shaping of new democracies.
He noted that the media should never be seen as any political toy, never be garlanded with political brands and never allow itself to be placed on any political see-saw. “It is our job to report the news, report it fairly in a balanced manner and to always embrace truth and facts. If we were to do otherwise we would have failed in our duty,” he emphasised.
Moseley, however, acknowledged that that in many instances in Guyana, the Caribbean and developing countries, media-ownership is inextricably linked to political allegiance and/or preference, whether private or state-owned.
He also reminded politicians that the media serve merely as the voice of the people and one that could sometimes disappear in silence. “While it is always good to call on the media to do this and do that and to change this and change that, our political leaders too may want to embrace a new culture when dealing with the media and the way they treat our media professionals,” he said. “It’s about time we move away from the backyard style brawls and mud throwing that are at times heaped up on media houses and journalists, in many instances for the simple reason that one might not have appreciated the way a story was structured, and or the way a story was carried.”
He added that in a country like Guyana, there is need for greater civility and tolerance. In this regard, he cited the ERC and said it seemed to have lost in the recent “abusive” and “offence” responses to columnist Freddie Kissoon, former broadcaster Tony Vieira and Kaieteur News. “The change must begin with all of us,” he said.
In this vein, Moseley noted the need for the media to set the tone for a new discourse. “We cannot trumpet ourselves as the guardians of the public’s trust and not recognise the need to safeguard that trust by being fair and balanced at all times and allowing ourselves to never become part of the story but to instead cover it and do so fairly,” he said.
He noted that the GPA viewed the media encounter as timely and relevant, a few short months before Guyanese go to the polls to exercise their franchise. In an election year, he said, the GPA could not turn a blind eye to the need for training of many of young media workers who will find themselves in the political battlefield telling the stories and covering the events that could impact the nation and its future.
Moseley said the GPA recognised those aspects of the law related to the coverage of sensitive issues and welcomed information on the relevant and requisite laws, “providing [that the] coverage of events are not at the expense of truthful and factual reporting within the given context.”
He also noted that a significant number of the journalists practicing today were not around at the last elections. As a result, he urged them to take advantage of every training opportunity, while encouraging them to raise frank discussions that may be affecting them in the way they carry out their duties. At the same time, he reminded more seasoned journalists of their duty to provide guidance and ensure that there is an enabling environment for the practice of journalism. “I encourage us all to keep an eye out for the younger ones and for ourselves and to never shy away from lending a helping hand or a pen. We owe it to the profession if not to ourselves,” he said. ERC Chairman Bishop Juan Edghill acknowledged the importance of the media in the upcoming elections and he advised the media workers that while they have their own personal opinions and beliefs, professionalism is the key. He continued that the ERC expects from the media a clear statement of rejection of “hate/racial” publications or opinions. Edghill added that the responsibility of the ERC is to ensure that media personnel are free from intimidation, fear or harassment and that the media must ensure that it is free from any form of control or manipulation. He concluded, “You’re bringing it as it happens and leaving it for the nation to decide.”
Carolyn Walcott, a representative from the University of Guyana, Centre for Communication Studies (UG-CCS) made a presentation and this was followed by a group discussion on the Representation of the People’s Act and the Racial Hostility Act. It was during the latter, that Kissoon and Benschop interrupted. Kissoon proceeded to question the ERC’s right to present the laws in question, and stated that it is unfair that “his colleagues” from the private media houses, namely Stabroek News, Kaieteur News and Prime News were not a part of the seminar. He also stated that there had been no presentations by the ERC Chairman and the GPA President. His remark was rebutted by Enrico Woolford of Capitol News, who pointed out that a presentation had in fact been made by Moseley and that a printout of the statement was available.
Concerning the absence of private media houses, Head of the Government Information Agency (GINA) Neaz Subhan was swift to point out that there were two representatives
from Stabroek News present. Shortly after, Kissoon and Benschop left the premises and the seminar continued.
The two-day seminar, which ends today, is being held under the theme ‘Promoting National Harmony and Reconciliation Through Higher Journalistic Standards.’ Representatives from several media houses were present.
