The People’s Progressive Party/Civic has declined an offer of free space in the Stabroek News for the elections saying that it was dissatisfied with the newspaper’s “unfair treatment” of the PPP/C and because of the “facilitation of unwarranted attacks”. On October 20, Guyana Publications Inc, publishers of the Stabroek News and the Sunday Stabroek had written to the four parliamentary parties offering free space for them to present their policies and plans in light of the impending elections.
In the letter, Stabroek News Editor-in-Chief Anand Persaud had said that the columns should “focus on jobs, security, economic diversification, the state of youth, constitutional reform, systems of governance and the Diaspora as these are the topics most often raised by members of the public in our columns”.
Thus far, A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change have taken up the offer. However, the PPP/C in a letter to Persaud on November 14 noted the offer and declined. The letter signed by Executive Committee Member Robert Persaud said “We note your offer. However, please be advised that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic is dissatisfied with the Stabroek News’ unfair treatment of the PPP/C in your reportage and the facilitation of unwarranted attacks”. He copied his letter to the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, Dr Steve Surujbally.
SN’s EiC Persaud said it was disappointing that the PPP/C had not taken up the offer. He said the accusations levelled by the party against Stabroek News were unfounded and surely the best way of dealing with any perceived unfair treatment would be to respond to these within the columns of the newspaper.
