GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – The Guyana Press Association (GPA) has condemned an attack on a newspaper journalist using the social media platform Facebook and has appealed for regional and international assistance to deal with the matter.
“This is not the first time this medium has attacked journalists and jeopardized their safety. This page is believed to be operated by political operatives associated with the governing People’s Progressive Party. Its content follows closely on the heels of questions that senior leaders of the incumbent administration find objectionable,” the GPA said as it condemned the attack on Davina Bagot of the Kaieteur News.
The GPA said that it remains in contact with several regional and international organizations and has placed its concerns for the safety of journalists in Guyana as a significant concern.
“The GPA is publicly urging international assistance to fight this harassment of media operatives in Guyana. The association will endorse any effort by media operatives to have the Guyana Police Force investigate the violation of the Cyber Crime Act, as well as the violation of the rights of women by the Women and Gender Equality Commission,” it added.
The GPA said it is also publicly seeking the solidarity of women’s organizations in condemning “this most recent cowardly attack against a female member of the media corps.
“The GPA regards such acts as not only an attempt to harass the media from asking searching questions but also a form of intimidation that ultimately endangers the lives of media operatives by those who may feel emboldened by such posts.
“With a significant majority of media workers being women, the GPA urges all media workers to ensure that the leadership of your body is always in a position to defend our collective rights locally, regionally, and internationally.”
The GPA said the association must remain “free from the tentacles of control, domination, and manipulation by politicians and other interest groups with narrow interests to serve.
“Let us look at the larger picture, not for a few pennies, so-called trips, and propaganda orientation rather than journalism training. We cannot sell our souls to those who violate our collective rights,” the GPA added.
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