GUYANA-Head of state-owned media entity describes GPA as one of the most “congenitally biased organisations in Guyana”.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – The director of the state-owned and controlled Department of Public Information (DPI), Edward Layne, on Monday described the Guyana Press Association (GPA) as “one of the most undemocratic, unbalanced, and congenitally biased organisations in Guyana”.

Layne’s comments followed a statement by the GPA on Monday in which it said it had been “forced to take note” of President Irfaan Ali’s treatment last Friday of a senior journalist, Travis Chase, during a questioning opportunity outside the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

“The GPA condemns the President’s attack on Mr. Chase and other journalists with his labelling of them as “Opposition-aligned journalists”. These attacks mirror similar ones perpetuated by other activists of the PPP (People’s Progressive Party), including social media commentator and government contractor Mikhail Rodrigues, who continues to label Chase and journalist Abena Rockcliffe as “Maduro Puppets”, the GPA said in its statement.

The GPA said that Rodrigues “repeatedly verbally abused other journalists in the vilest of manners while being cheered on by other activists of the governing party.

“The GPA also condemns the attacks on Ms. Rockcliffe and all the other journalists who continue to do their jobs without fear or favour in an aggressive environment.

“Several international observers of the September 1 elections have highlighted the polarized atmosphere in which Guyanese journalists continue to operate and the need for that to change.

“The Guyana Press Association will continue to call on ALL politicians to respect journalists and their work,” it said, extending “best wishes to the President and his Government on their re-election to office”.

The GPA said, “It is hoped that relations with the news media will be significantly improved in the coming months and years, with a clear understanding of the need for access to information, timely information sharing, and respect for the work of the media.

“The GPA hopes that elected officials, on both sides of the political aisle, will make themselves more accessible and available to the media and that matters related to the media and the work of the media will involve discussions with the media and the Guyana Press Association.”

After he was sworn into office on Sunday for a second consecutive term, President Ali, in a nationwide broadcast, said that the new government will pay particular attention to examining ways in which future threats that emerge from misinformation through artificial intelligence (AI) and digital platforms can affect the lives of citizens, destroy peace and safety, and undermine democracy.

Further, Ali said, “At the same time, we recognise and respect the essential watchdog role of the media, and we will ensure greater transparency by instituting mechanisms in every ministry and department that provide the facts in a timely way.

“Additionally, and of no less importance, we must hold those who are tasked with the dissemination of information accountable for their actions. They must be held accountable, also,” he added.

In his statement, Layne said he had taken note of the GPA statement “in which several inaccurate and untruthful claims are made”.

He made specific reference to what he termed “the claim that President Ali’s treatment of self-described journalist Travis Chase warrants condemnation,” saying the GPA statement “is, in fact, yet another instance of politically motivated bullying by the president of the GPA.

“Mr. Chase does not observe even the most basic protocols and ethics of journalism. What the GPA should condemn is Chase’s aggressively confrontational tactics toward a Head of State, as well as his inflammatory posts on social media.

“By any measure, Mr. Chase’s practices in the media are at once symptomatic and symbolic of a deep (or even pathological) disregard for the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration.”

Layne said that the GPA’s defence and advocacy for Chase “must not be taken seriously, and this is because the Guyana Press Association is one of the most undemocratic, unbalanced, and congenitally biased organisations in Guyana.

“President Ali remains committed to ensuring that freedom of expression in Guyana, in all its forms and modalities, is guaranteed and defended. The expectations of ethical professional conduct must also follow the rule of law,” Layne wrote.