The National Communications Network (NCN) is alleging that an A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)-affiliated councillor verbally assaulted a member of its staff who was at the time engaged in official duties.
In a release yesterday, NCN addressed what it viewed as a “concerning” report about the alleged actions of an A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)-affiliated councillor against a member of its team at the Watooka Guest House where the Linden Mayor & Town Council’s statutory meeting was taking place on Wednesday, October 2.
According to the release, the NCN team was covering the event when a disagreement between the Town Clerk and the Mayor escalated, resulting in the premature adjournment of the statutory meeting. Following this, several councillors expressed their frustrations as they exited. During this time, one councillor of APNU, reportedly directed inappropriate language toward NCN staff member, Ianna Benjamin, who was documenting the proceedings as part of her duties as a media operative.
It is the view of NCN that its personnel, especially its women staff, should not face hostility or disrespect while performing their duties. “Such behaviour, if found to be true, undermines the essential role of journalists in fostering transparency and accountability. Unfortunately, we have observed a pattern of unsavoury conduct directed at state media workers by affiliates and proxies of the APNU/Alliance For Change (AFC).”
In view of the alleged incident, NCN stated its intention to make a formal complaint to the Guyana Press Association (GPA) in hopes that an investigation will be done, and that actions will be taken to promote respect for and protection of the rights of media workers, especially those representing state media.
“We trust that the elected representative in question recognizes the essential role of journalists in fostering transparency and accountability. We have also called on the GPA to underscore the value and right of state media workers to carry out their duties without fear of intimidation or verbal abuse, and we note with grave concern that this is not the first such incident report received which affects NCN’s team in Linden,” the release added.
