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Jan 25, 2015 News
– Harmon tells Govt. controlled radio stations
Considering the “unfair treatment” usually meted out by the State Media, several opposition members are already expressing concerns over the high possibility of inequitable media coverage in the looming May 11 election.
A Partnership for National Unity’s (APNU) General Secretary, Joseph Harmon, told Kaieteur News last week that his coalition is worried about the “twisted messages” that will be promoted by the state media as coming from the opposition. But it is still hoping for the best in the upcoming election.
“We really hope for fair coverage and we hope that the media having been exposed to us over the last three or more years, will exhibit a certain level of professionalism. And whereas some of the editors or owners of the facility may be inclined in a certain way, we hope that the reporters’ own professional conduct and ethos will dictate that they only report the truth,” Harmon expressed.
Harmon said that his partnership is going to hold steadfast in promoting one of its core principles, being progress in the journey ahead for the nation. He was also hopeful that the media work along with the APNU in promoting such positive messages. He asked that fair coverage be given to the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) so that the nation can see for itself when “they are lying.”
“But please, in all you do, put out the truth. Don’t try to swing or bend what we are saying. That’s all we are asking and we will do the rest,” the lawyer emphasized.
He was also asked if it is worried about the APNU effectively getting its message to certain regions of Guyana where only certain modes of communication, like the government-controlled radio stations are principally present.
“It’s a concern not a worry but as I had said previously , we will listen carefully to what these stations are doing because they need to understand, too, that they are dealing with the next government and it is already written in stone that the PPP/C is history.
So they need to understand that if they mess up our message, or twist it there must be a consequence for doing so and I hope all the radio stations as well get this message. We are about national unity and will form a government premised on that policy…”Harmon articulated.
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) had also announced that for the May 11 election, it will be resuscitating the Media Monitoring Unit.
This facility is designed to monitor the media during the election period and report on breaches of the principles enshrined in the Media Code of Conduct and norms associated with international best practices in journalism.
It will also promote lifting professional standards in the media with regards to the reporting of political, electoral, governance and general social issues; encourage equity, balance and fairness in news reporting; the influencing of media owners/operatives to abide by the principles enshrined in the Media Code of Conduct; and supporting GECOM’s Public Relations Department in information gathering and improving the organisation’s public image.
Harmon said that the media monitoring unit has always been a matter of concern for the APNU because it believes that there have been brazen acts of abuse of state resources and of the state media by the PPP/C.
The General Secretary said that his organisation is happy for the reintroduction of that unit and hopes that whatever it may find during the upcoming period, some serious action can be taken.
He said that the problem with the Unit in the past is that it made recommendations and the government never paid any attention to it.
“So it is as if you have a Unit that is established for the purpose of fairness but the government has no regard for equality and we have to see how it works this time. We hope its recommendations are those which can be acted upon,” he added.
The Shadow Minister of Public Works also stated that the APNU’s message to the people during the forthcoming election, will be centered on ensuring that the “corrupt PPP/C regime is brought to its knees a new government with the people’s interest at heart is given the opportunity to take the country forward.”
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