The Guyana Press Association (GPA) said it is keeping a close eye on the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) posture regarding its members’ coverage of the ongoing criminal investigation against Assistant Commissioner of Police Calvin Brutus by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), especially since one journalist has been the recipient of threats of sedition and obstruction of justice charges. In a press release, the GPA referred to a press statement earlier this week by SOCU, an arm of the GPF, which threatened journalist Leroy Smith with sedition and obstruction of justice charges. The statement, issued by Mark Ramotar, Head of the GPF’s Corporate Communications Unit on behalf of the head SOCU, was made after Smith published a report on October 23, on Big Smith News Watch. According to the GPA, that statement disputed Smith’s report and went on to describe the journalist as a “hired gun” inferring that based on Smith’s reporting, legal proceedings would be instituted and criminal investigation started. Smith, in response, lodged an official complaint with the GPA indicating that he stood by his reporting on the issue and expressing concern about the threats levelled against him.
