Guyana has dropped 17 spots in the press freedom rankings, moving to 77 out of a total of 180 countries listed on the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, which was compiled by Reporters without Borders (Reporters sans frontières-RSF).
RSF is an international non-profit and non-governmental organisation focused on safeguarding the right to freedom of information
The recent report stated while Guyana protects freedom of speech and the right to information, “journalists who oppose the authorities face intimidation.”
The report, however, later acknowledged that, “Guyana’s journalists are respected, generally protected, and allowed to do their jobs freely and independently.”
And while in Guyana, journalists are rarely the target of physical acts of violence, it did point out that television investigative journalist Travis Chase’s car was shot at in December 2023. No one was charged in that incident.
“Media professionals have also faced legal intimidation and suspensions. They are often bullied online by political actors and sometimes unknown persons,” the report added.
It was noted that the country has a robust media landscape, with a diversity of national and regional media outlets. The report listed the main newspapers as Stabroek News, Kaieteur News, Guyana Times, and the Guyana Chronicle. It pointed out that the Guyana Chronicle is owned and controlled by the state, as is the broadcast service, the National Communications Network. Additionally, there are a number of private newscasts and online news services.
According to the 2024 report, state-owned and controlled media in Guyana compete with several private radio stations, channels and publications. “Independent and opposition media outlets struggle to compete with the advertising revenues of pro-government media outlets, which threatens their economic viability.” It added, “While there were attempts in 2020 to improve regulation of the broadcast industry, the government failed to involve or consult with any broadcasters to strengthen the reform.”
Further, it was stated that because members of the media regulatory authority are directly appointed by the president, “the independence of certain media outlets, whose licenses can be revoked, is hampered.”
And although Guyana guarantees freedom of expression and the right to information in its constitution, the laws are not always strictly enforced, the report observed. It added that public officials use “defamation lawsuits to criticize the media, and the threat of legal harassment can be enough to discourage journalists from pursuing an investigation.” It said as well that in recent years, Guyana has passed legislation aimed at muzzling reporters who openly oppose the authorities. The text includes an anti-defamation law providing for fines and imprisonment for up to two years “to arrest journalists who oppose their political parties.”
Meanwhile, looking at the global picture, the report noted that a growing number of governments and political authorities are not fulfilling their role as guarantors of the best possible environment for journalism and for the public’s right to reliable, independent, and diverse news and information. RSF sees a worrying decline in support and respect for media autonomy and an increase in pressure from the state or other political actors.
The 2024 report pointed out that at the international level, this year is notable for a clear lack of political will on the part of the international community to enforce the principles of protection of journalists, especially UN Security Council Resolution 2222, mentioning the Palestinian/ Israeli conflict as an example.
“The war in Gaza has been marked by a record number of violations against journalists and the media since October 2023. More than 100 Palestinian reporters have been killed by the Israel Defence Forces, including at least 22 in the course of their work.” It went on, “Occupied and under constant Israeli bombardment, Palestine is ranked 157th out of 180 countries and territories surveyed in the overall 2024 World Press Freedom Index, but it is ranked among the last 10 with regard to security for journalists.”
Last year Guyana ranked at 60, which was 26 points lower than it was in 2022 when the country was ranked 34th out of 180 countries.
While Norway remains in the number one spot, the Caribbean countries ranked above Guyana are Jamaica at 24 and Trinidad at 25, with Suriname at 28 (jumping 24 spots from its 52nd rank last year) and the Dominican Republic at 35. The United States is ranked at 55, down 10 spots from its 45th rank last year.
