In an address that struck at the heart of issues plaguing the local press, former Editor-in-Chief of the now defunct Stabroek News, Anand Persaud, challenged the Government to do better by the local media.

Mr. Persaud delivered the keynote address on Monday evening at a reception hosted by the Guyana Press Association in observance of World Press Freedom Day.

World Press Freedom Day was celebrated this year under the theme: “Shaping a Future at Peace: Promoting Press Freedom for Human Rights, Development and Security.”

In keeping with that theme, Persaud made the case for President Irfaan Ali to host monthly press conferences, and for there to be a new Commissioner of Information, in addition to amendments to the Cyber Security Act.

Since taking office for a second term last September, President Ali has not hosted any press conferences, although he would offer short side interviews at various events.

Coupled with the lack of Presidential press conferences, post-cabinet press briefings have not been held in over five years.

“Promoting Press Freedom for Human Rights, Development and Security requires the Executive President to submit himself to routine and extended questions by the press. That is the only way in which the press can discharge its duty on behalf of the public of examining the statements of the President, the policies of his government and his stewardship of the country. It is good that the President is prepared to take questions on the sidelines of events. These engagements are however rushed and are absolutely no substitute for extended press conferences,” Persaud said.

It was explained that regular press conferences allow the public to gauge how the President is performing his duties.

Persaud said President Ali must be aware that across the Caribbean and further afield, Heads of Government routinely present themselves to the press for public scrutiny at press conferences.

“The President’s failure to hold these press conferences evinces disrespect for the media and rejection of any concept of a social contract. His and his government’s outlook reflect the philosophy of autocracy rather than interaction,” Persaud said.

The lack of access, the former Editor-in-Chief explained, is not limited to the Executive, but prevails across Government agencies, Constitutional bodies and the Legislature.

Persaud, who himself has stood on the picket line along with other journalists and civil society activists demanding access to information, said it is now time for the Commissioner of Information, Justice (Ret’d) Charles Ramson to be removed from Office over his repeated failure to provide information as requested by the media and other civil society groups and citizens.

“How can press freedom and its practitioners contribute to human rights, development and security if the institutions that are meant to enable this fail to discharge their duties? It has been widely reported for a number of years that Mr. Ramson has stalled on legitimate applications under the Access to Information Act and issued rude and crass responses,” he said.

Persaud said more journalists must get involved in demanding the provision of better information, warning that failure to act will result in them being further sidelined.

But even as local press continues to press for access to information, the struggle for press freedom continues continues.

In recent years, a number of media houses have had to downsize their operations due to lack of financial support and the changing nature of the media landscape.

Stabroek News recently folded its operations after more than 39 years. The Government is still to honour its debt to Stabroek News for advertisements that were placed in the newspapers.

“The departure of Stabroek News from the scene was a severe blow to press freedom – one that has emboldened those who oppose press freedom. It is important to underscore the flagrant disrespect by the Ali Administration of Stabroek News’ right to operate in the normative commercial environment. Whereas the government has a credit period of 45 days, it completely ignore this for over a two-year-period and withheld large sums. Just days ago, on April 27 and after months of correspondence from Stabroek News, and news reporting, the government paid up $19.5 million. That leaves a balance of $67.4 million with no clear indication of when that is going to be paid,” the former EIC said.

In addition to the millions owed to Stabroek News, the Government reportedly owes Kaieteur News in excess of $200 millions.

“The withholding of the monies constitutes an outrageous abuse of press freedom and underlines the malign behavior of the government. At the very least, and if taken at face value, it shows a government in financial disarray: unable to marshal the debts of its various ministries and government agencies over months and to pay its way. It also owes other newspapers. A cake shop would put this government to shame and no doubt has,” Persaud said.

Persaud told the reception that he believes that the Guyana Press Association ought to be given an annual subvention by the State, as it continues to represent media workers from across the media landscape.

During the reception, the Guyana Press presented Lifetime Achievement Awards longtime journalists Leon Horatio, in recognition of long and dedicated service to sport coverage in print journalism; Claude David, in recognition of dedicated service to sport coverage; Bert Wilkinson, in recognition of committed service in journalism locally, regionally and globally; Roderick Baird, in recognition of long and dedicated service to audio engineering in media; Oluatoyin Samantha Alleyne-Williams, in recognition of dedicated service to print journalism; and Miranda La Rose, in recognition of her long and dedicated service to journalism.

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