Latest update April 18th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jun 08, 2010 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom
The latest action by the authorities against Kaieteur News was unexpected but it fits into a recent pattern. For more than one year now this newspaper has been on its guard and therefore was fully prepared even for the unexpected.
This newspaper has paid a high price for its reporting. During the crime wave our printery was set alight. Millions of dollars in losses were suffered as a result of that act of arson. Those who wanted to shut us down were left disappointed because within a matter of days we were back in print.
Then the horrific happened. In 2006, gunmen invaded our printery, placed five of our employees to lie on the ground and cold- bloodedly executed them. When the terrifying news reached the editorial staff, a decision was taken that the edition that our slain colleagues were preparing to print would go to press.
The death of our colleagues was a hard blow for all. This was a difficult period for our newspaper but the publisher considered the consequences for the staff and asked that we continue to do our work.
Then, later a gunman waltzed into our offices and terrorised the editorial staff. Fortunately no one was harmed. Had it not been for the bravery and quick thinking by Adam Harris things could have been worse.
All of these attacks forced the Kaieteur News to improve its security. After the killings of our pressmen, some of the staff expressed fears about working at the location where the slaughter took place. In order to address these concerns, the printery was moved to the Charlestown location where our offices are situated.
Steps were also taken to secure this location and to ensure the safety of our workers. Towards this end we secured certain permits that allowed us to lawfully protect our workers. This past week these permits were withdrawn thus exposing our staff to the risk of possible attack.
This withdrawal was unexpected. We did not predict this would happen.
Staff members became fearful, but resigned to the fact that we had to accept what was happening. Uncle Adam said that he is too old to be watching over his shoulder. Uncle Freddie said he cannot afford bodyguards. Glenn took it philosophically. He said that he is not bothered, that when God is ready for you, there is nothing that man can do. So he shrugged his shoulders and moved on.
He is however someone that cares for his staff. He wanted them to feel safe. Arrangements were thus made for armed security to ensure the safety of Kaieteur News now that the permits that were issued to ensure the protection of our staff and assets have been recalled.
The timing of the recall is extremely strange. Just recently our columnist Uncle Freddie was attacked and smeared with fecal matter. So there is a recent history of physical harm being done to persons connected with this newspaper. Why then would the authorities at this time withdraw permits that allowed us to safeguard our property and staff from further attacks?
The excuse which has been provided is that the circumstances under which the permits were granted no longer exist and therefore the permits had to be recalled. Well, if the threat of attack or injury does not exist how then does one explain the throwing of fecal matter on Uncle Freddie?
Kaieteur News is not bothered. Kaieteur News has taken the recent recall in good stride and has taken actions to secure armed protection for our property and staff. We know what is behind the recall.
We have a job to do as we will do our job. We also have additional responsibilities. We have to begin to help some of the little Gods that are making life difficult for us. They are floundering in a sea of incompetence and self-delusion.
They need help because if they continue to act as they are doing then they will drown this country with this misdeed. We will have to spend another fifty years fighting the destruction they will cause.
Guyana cannot afford that, and Glenn Lall knows this all too well. He wants betterment for this country. He does not want to have to wait another fifty years to see progress. This is why he continues to expose the corruption and the sour deals that are taking place. He knows that these things are not good for the country and therefore he wants through his newspaper to help Guyana become a better place.
He is not in this for recognition or money. He loves Guyana and wants to see it progress. Despite being concerned by what is happening to Kaieteur News, he is not bothered for in the end he knows that nothing that the authorities do to him or his newspaper will prevent Kaieteur News from fearlessly and independently reporting the news.
He has said it openly that he just wants to help Guyana but he will not bow to pressure.
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