The Guyana Press Association in a two-page statement issued yesterday is making it clear that it will hold the Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, accountable for any harm against any media worker, in wake of the resurgence of his attacks on the media.
In its statement, the Guyana Press Association said it has documented the attacks by Mr. Jagdeo against the media over the past several months and warns that his continued attacks have been encouraging threats to the lives and livelihoods media professionals in Guyana.
The GPA referred to a recent flare up between Jagdeo and senior journalist, Nazima Ragubir, when he referred to the reporter’s questions regarding a statement he had made, as “silly and stupid”.
The GPA has also noted instances over the past months in which he has called media houses “fake news”, “biased news” and “government aligned” and his attacks would be followed up by postings on the Facebook pages of his party, attacking the same reporters.
The media group reminded that this is not the first time that Jagdeo has had outbursts against the independent media and noted that while he served as President he referred to journalists as “Carrion crows” and “vultures” when they questioned him or carried reports in the media that did not find favour with him.
Jagdeo’s Presidency was also known for the banning of a journalist from covering his events at State House and the President’s Office, the removal of state advertisements from the private newspapers, the suspension of television licenses of CN Sharma and the granting of radio licenses to several of his close friends and party groups.
The GPA said it would like to remind all political leaders and parties that journalists ought to be able to conduct their work without fear or intimidation and they be able to do so freely.
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