Dear Editor,
In response to an article published in the Stabroek News on the 30th January 2021, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport would like to dispel and disabuse any concerns the Guyana Press Association or the media may have on the issue and state that there is no “ban” of the media or any particular media personnel from the Guyana National Stadium. In fact, a chess tournament is currently being held at the Guyana National Stadium and the Ministry is advised that the media will be present to cover the event.
While the Ministry’s Ministerial secretariat has been unable to confirm receipt of a letter by the Guyana Press Association, the Ministry would like to state that the Ministry holds the media in high regard and will continue to do so.
For the sake of clarity on the issue, the Ministry has sought to establish a simple procedure for media reporting on the condition of the ground at the Guyana National Stadium, that is, a letter is written to the Ministry to schedule a visit to the ground by any media personnel/representative for the purpose of reporting on its condition. This visit will be expeditiously facilitated and will be conducted in the presence of a representative of the Ministry.
This simple procedure was established in response to an unfortunate incident which occurred a few weeks ago where there was a false media report published on the condition of the ground at the Guyana National Stadium which the Ministry was compelled to refute publicly and in the presence of the media. Upon further investigation by the Ministry, there were conflicting contentions that a visit was made to the ground by media representatives immediately before publication even though the staff at the Guyana National Stadium denied observing any such visit and the cameras, when reviewed, did not capture any such visit.
It is also important to note that the condition of the ground at the Guyana National Stadium is the basis for Guyana being able to host international and regional tournaments. This means that the Ministry has a responsibility to protect the image and reputation of the facility. This also means that reporting on the condition of the ground must be responsible. It is for these foregoing reasons that the Ministry has established a simple procedure for the reporting on the condition of the ground of the Guyana National Stadium by the media.
The Ministry publicly extends an invitation to anyone in the media interested in reporting on the condition of the ground at the Guyana National Stadium to write to the Ministry to schedule a visit and one will be facilitated expeditiously.
The Ministry would also like to emphasise that while the simple procedure has been established for the reporting on the condition of ground, any media representative is welcome to visit the Guyana National Stadium at any time. The Ministry uses this opportunity to remind everyone that it was only a few months ago that the facility was opened to the public for the first time because of a decision made by the new President Irfaan Ali-led Government of Guyana.
Yours faithfully,
Charles S Ramson MP
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports
