Dear Editor,
I refer to the news report “Government will not undermine media workers’ professionalism – Granger” (SN, 30 April 2016) in which President David Granger is reported to have said “The Government of Guyana is committed to the promotion of a high degree of media professionalism. My administration will not undermine professionalism of state media workers by subjecting them to political direction or interference in their work.”
Now, these are encouraging words and President David Granger must be applauded for them.
However, they are words not deeds. And, the operative word is (My). While President David Granger may not undermine the media in Guyana it must be noted that there is no way that he can guarantee that another President down the line will not use and abuse the State Media in a Machiavellian manner.
Guyanese require and expect that President David Granger will do all he can to free up State Media (Guyana Chronicle and NCN) as well as continue along the path of developing more newspapers, radio stations and TV stations in Guyana.
It is not about you abusing State Media, Mr President. It is about leaving better institutions of state than you inherited from your predecessor.
Yours faithfully,
Sean Ori