After being banned from the Office of the President (OP) and State House for in excess of three years by President Bharrat Jagdeo, President of the Guyana Press Association and Capitol News Reporter and Producer, Gordon Moseley told this newspaper that the ban was lifted by Guyana’s recently elected President, Donald Ramotar.
Moseley sparked curiosity among many when he appeared at Ramotar’s inauguration ceremony on Saturday at State House.
Moseley yesterday confirmed that Ramotar has fulfilled his promise by taking the relevant action to have this ban abolished.
“Mr. Ramotar had indicated several times that he would lift the ban once he became President and the fact that he has kept to his word is a good sign,” Moseley stated.
He further opined that there is no place in a democratic society for the banning of any journalist, noting that “the role of the media is essential to maintaining democratic principles and bridging the gap between the administration and the people it serves, therefore, that ban had no place in our society, no place in any democratic society”.
The ban was implemented in July 2008 by President Bharrat Jagdeo after Moseley was said to have made “disparaging and disrespectful” remarks about him in a letter he sent to the newspapers. A call was made for Moseley to offer an apology but to no avail.
As a result, Moseley received a letter from the Head of the Government Information Agency Neaz Subhan, indicating that accreditation to OP and State House was withdrawn.
