Latest update May 10th, 2024 12:59 AM
Apr 20, 2016 News
“When will we stop equating all criticism of government with wanting to undermine it?”
A debate has once again ensued over the alleged censorship in the state-owned media. This time, it is between
Government and one of the columnists of the Chronicle Newspaper, Dr. David Hinds.
In his recent writings, the University Professor contended that based on certain factors, it seems as though the Chronicle newspaper continues to be used as an instrument of dictatorship.
The Professor of Caribbean and African Diaspora Politics said that the paper has to move beyond reprinting Government press releases and populating the pages with the faces of Ministers.
“The rest of us matter too. As a columnist, I have had my experiences of censorship. On two occasions, my column was not carried because they were critical of the government. In other instances, sections of my columns which criticized the government have been deleted,” Dr. Hinds said.
He reflected that the Chronicle has historically been an instrument of dictatorship, but it cannot continue in such a manner. Dr. Hinds noted that the coalition administration came to power as a change agent and as such, the state-owned media must reflect that promise.
The coalition administration is however admonishing in the strongest terms, the accusations of censorship in the state media. In fact, it finds these comments to be “irresponsible and baseless.”
In a statement to the media, it intimated that such claims are wholly false and an attempt to damage the image of the Coalition Government. The Government said that it is trying to repair democratic institutions, including state media, which had been left in a shambolic state under the previous administration.
The Coalition Government recalled that it has established independent and professional boards for the major state media entities and has noticed that persons with strong political and social views outside of the state media staff have been enlisted as paid contributors.
The Government reiterated its commitment to the free media that provides for national coverage that is not driven by partisan politics.
It said, “For the first time in many years, state media have been carrying articles and reports critical of the government while providing extensive positive coverage to the opposition. Allegations of censorship in state media have no basis in reality or fact.”
After noting the Government’s statements, Dr. Hinds said that he feels nothing but disappointment. He said that the comments which were released by the Office of the Prime Minister, amount to nothing more than a tacit approval of the actions of the Chronicle. He emphasized that nowhere in the release was there a direct explanation as to why two of his columns were not published.
Dr. Hinds noted that both articles were subsequently carried by other sections of the media. He added, “So I must assume they were not libelous. One article questioned whether it was true that the government was about to hire two former Ministers of the PPP government, and I expressed my disapproval of such a move. The other article expressed my disapproval of the President’s remarks about the Walter Rodney COI (Commission of Inquiry).”
The University Professor continued, “So the Office of the Prime Minister (PM) is saying that I am lying or that the non-publication of the articles did not amount to censorship. In that regard, one can deduce that the Office of the PM endorses the non-publication of the articles.”
Instead of addressing the charge of censorship, Dr. Hinds asserted that the release portrays him as an enemy of the government who is attempting “to damage the image of the Coalition Government.”
He said, “As far as I know, Kaieteur News columnist, Freddie Kissoon and I are the two public commentators who have commented on this issue. I have lived under two authoritarian governments in Guyana and remember being the victim of this very charge by both of them. When will we stop this nonsense of equating all criticism of government with wanting to undermine the government?”
Dr. Hinds stated that for one to charge himself and Kissoon with wanting to undermine the government must be the biggest joke of the year.
He expressed, “But it is a joke that I do not take lightly, because when you begin to compile a list of enemies of the government and the state, you are beginning to walk down the road of dictatorship. This is a very bad sign. I don’t have to remind the country of the role that some of us played in helping to create the conditions that propelled this government to power.”
The University Professor said he is sure that some of those who may have authored the release of the statements were missing in action during that time. He hopes that the Prime Minister dissociates himself from the release.
He said that the release chronicles a list of positive changes in the state media since the new government came to power. Dr. Hinds said that he does not deny this. He noted, however, that the institution of reforms does not automatically lead to the absence of censorship.
The columnist said that he will continue to offer critical analysis of the actions of the government, because that is part of his professional work and political activism. Dr. Hinds asserted that his critique of the government is grounded in deep love and support. He said that he will still defend the administration against any unfair attacks, as he still believes that it offers Guyana the best hope of overcoming its myriad challenges.
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