The Guyana Times newspaper has not reported to the police or to the local press association “a number of threats” from persons claiming to be agents of the current administration calling on it to stop publishing news items critical of Government.
Both Guyana Police Force (GPF) spokesman Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan and Guyana Times Editor, Tusika Martin have confirmed that the threats were not reported to the police.
Guyana Press Association, president, Nazima Raghubir also told Stabroek News that the threats were not reported to the press association.
Nevertheless, Martin said that the newspaper stands by its statement until further advised by the company’s lawyers. She would answer no further questions. The statement was the page one comment of the newspaper two days ago.
The newspaper said that “persons have threatened that should this newspaper continue to pursue articles which are critical of the Government, its owners, management and affiliate companies will face dire consequences.”
The paper said, “As an independent media house, Guyana Times has striven to express the views of all Guyanese irrespective of religion, race, creed, or political background. This media house, over the past 10 years, has stood firm as a watchdog of our democracy and against Government excesses.
“Guyana Times, along with its sister companies Television Guyana (TVG-CH 28) and Radio Guyana Inc (RGI), is housed at the Sanata Complex, Ruimveldt Industrial Site, Georgetown.
We are of the view that this threat is aimed at silencing us as a media house from performing our role as the fourth estate of democratic government.
“Freedom of the press is protected by Article 19 of the United Nations Declaration. This article is explicit in its protection of freedoms and more significantly, points to: `Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers’”.
The newspaper said it will not be intimidated by these threats and will continue to report and cover the news fairly and fearlessly as it unfolds.
