Dear Editor,
I would like to take this opportunity to offer my congratulations to all our journalists and those who work in the media on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day which was observed yesterday.
There can be no doubt that Guyana has come a long way from the days when freedom of speech was suppressed by way of denial of newsprint, as in the case of the Mirror and the Catholic Standard. Today we have a media landscape that is much more diverse and pluralistic.
People are free to express themselves in ways not hitherto possible. This is particularly true of the print and electronic media which are free to determine their editorial content.
This is good for our democracy. I have always maintained the view that the pen is mightier than the sword.
It is the responsibility of the media not only to report the news fairly and accurately but to stimulate new ideas and thinking with a view to improving the cultural and intellectual life of the society in which we live.
I cannot say that this is happening enough. There is too much sensationalism along the ‘man bite dog’ approach in the way the news items are presented to the public.
World Press Freedom Day is a good opportunity for media operatives to reflect on the road we have travelled and the challenges ahead.
Yours faithfully,
Hydar Ally
