GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – The President of Guyana, Dr. Irfaan Ali, issued a call to action for journalists and media professionals to prioritize truth and responsibility over the mere pursuit of reach, especially in an age increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence (AI).
Speaking to media operatives and members of the government and diplomatic community on Saturday, which is observed as World Press Freedom Day, the President highlighted the critical role of journalism in democratic societies and warned against the dangers of sensationalism and misinformation.
H4 acknowledged the rapidly evolving media landscape, pointing out that AI now allows anyone with access to a digital platform to generate and disseminate information at unprecedented speed and scale. While this has democratized content creation, he cautioned that it has also blurred the lines of credibility and accountability.
Ali described the current media environment as one in which speed, influence, and reach often take precedence over ethics and accuracy. This, he warned, poses a serious threat not only to professional journalism but also to the integrity of public information itself.
To mitigate this, he called for urgent national and regional collaboration to craft policies and regulations around AI use in media, warning that the unchecked spread of AI-generated content could have destabilizing effects.
Ali looked at the future of media associations, encouraging them to expand their remit to include newer, non-traditional voices in the information space—especially those active on social media—so that standards and accountability are upheld across the board.
Reflecting on Guyana’s constitutional guarantees, he pointed out that press freedom was enshrined before the advent of digital media and AI. He said this necessitates a modern review of legal and ethical frameworks.
While reaffirming his government’s commitment to press freedom, the President stressed that this freedom must come with equal accountability—from both those who produce news and those who consume it.
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