President Irfaan Ali’s treatment of a Kaieteur News (KN) reporter at Thursday’s press conference has raised questions.
Instead of answering directly, the President proceeded to ask questions of the reporter in what was seen as an attempt to belittle him.
The reporter, Shervin Belgrave asked a question relating to the development of the country and its people and about what plans the president has in place since next year marks the beginning of another elections cycle.
Belgrave asked, “I just have one question. With elections creeping near next year what is your government plan to increase (the) spending power of its citizens?” to which Ali responded, “The government’s plan is to win the next elections by a greater majority and increase the disposable income in the pockets of persons.”
He then referred to the housing programme before asking Belgrave, “How old are you?” to which Belgrave responded, “I am 28 sir.” The President further went on to ask the reporter about where he lives to which Belgrave gave a response and then he was asked if he owns his own home. Belgrave responded “not as yet.” Ali questioned further, “Applied for a house lot?” and Belgrave responded, “Not as yet.” Then Ali in a dismissive tone told Belgrave to sit down, remarking, “You are not participating on the enhancement of your own life. Thank you, bye.”
The President also had an exchange with reporter Gordon Moseley of News Source who questioned the government’s swift reaction in the revocation of the cambio licence of Nazar Mohamed and Azruddin Mohamed but not their gold exportation or mining licences. While trying to present his question, the moderator, Kit Nascimento interrupted midway and asked, “Are you asking a question?” to which Moseley responded, “I am trying to if you allow me”
Moseley then continued in his quest for answers by asking about Ali’s government being left in the dark by the US on their investigation into the Mohameds after he had stated that Guyana and the US share a good relationship. Ali responded, “No I don’t agree that we were left in the dark. I am not surprised by anything; nothing surprises me in life.” He continued, “Let me say two things to you; the US and Guyana has a tremendous relationship [and] we have been collaborating and sharing information at intelligence level,” while stating that such information is based on transnational crimes. He went on to say, “There is a reason why it is called intelligence gathering,” before reiterating that the relationship between Guyana and the US is expanding and delivering results.
With his first question seemingly ignored, Moseley again pressed about the status of the licences of the sanctioned businessman to which Ali, who by now seemed annoyed, responded, “Everything is suspended for that company; they can’t transact business. Do you understand sanction?” which Moseley countered by reminding that the revocation of the cambio licence was his government’s action. The president then told the journalist, “The government is awaiting the information set as of now. What has been said in the report is the issue of the tax evasion that we have to get GRA and the Ministry of Finance has requested information.”
Asked for a comment on Thursday on the press conference and the President’s handling of the KN reporter, President of the Guyana Press Association, Nazima Raghubir told Stabroek News that there were numerous complaints from members of the media about the restrictions placed on them during these presidential press conferences. She noted that on numerous occasions varying from the General Secretary of the PPP to the President’s press conferences, it is always in a limited and monitored way in which journalists are permitted to interact with government officials.
“The entire engagement lacks civility and is meant to restrict the media; restrict the people coming to the press conferences, and also at the same time to filter or to project onto the public, a narrative that the government wants …” Raghubir said.
She added that if there was a functionary within the Department of Public Information and communication officers within the government, as well as post-cabinet press briefings and open information sources, it would have been quite helpful and the President would not have had to behave in the manner that he did on Thursday.
She said that the press association is looking into the complaints of various media persons to deal with harassment by government officials.
