Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Oct 10, 2011 News
Years of destructive fractiousness in the media fraternity may be on the verge of ending even as the recognition of common interest is formed into something fruitful and hopefully enduring. This is the ambitious expectation of Dr. Paloma Mohamed, who this past weekend addressed a gathering at a forum to mark the conclusion of a workshop aimed at re-emphasizing the importance of fair media coverage.
The forum, which came a day before the announcement of a November 28, 2011, General Election date, also saw media personnel recommitting to the Media Code of Conduct. The 10-page document which was drafted under the specialist direction of United Kingdom based Mr. Tim Neale, was designed specifically to guide media houses along a path of fair coverage during the Regional and National Elections.
Dr. Mohamed nonetheless asserted that it has become increasingly clear that what journalists will do depends on the practice of editors, managers and owners even as she alluded to the fact that “in Guyana the owners are very hands-on…sometimes they wield unusual power in the actual day to day output of the media…”
As a result, she expressed immense gratitude that those with the ‘ultimate say’ in the media houses did in fact grace the forum at the weekend. Among those in attendance were senior officials from both Government and independent media houses. “I am very gratified that you the heavyweights and titans have showed up here today to give this Code the credence of your convictions and in doing so we would expect no less of you than we always do to stick to your words and to hold both your organizations and the people who work for you up to the highest possible standard.”
Dr. Mohamed further expressed her personal conviction that “I will never stop believing that even in the darkest of times the triumph of better human qualities will always trump those of the base ones…” She asserted too that while many had signed on to the Code of Conduct previously the recent increased number of persons signing represents a commitment “to yourselves and the people of this country to work in their best interest.”
She made reference to the fact that since people cannot be in all places at all times, the media is often the only means of knowing what is going on, thus amplifying the importance of responsible reporting. “If they bring something that is not correct, then we act on false information and by doing this the media helps us to construct inappropriate responses to real issues; so this moment is more than symbolic; it has to be real, practiced and adhered to; in other words the symbol has to become object and the object has to be wielded for the greater good…”
As such, the recent signing was regarded as a very special moment by Dr. Mohamed who noted that while she has trained many journalists, she has never been in the field of journalism and therefore has profound respect and love for what they do because “I know they do it sometimes in the most difficult of circumstances, especially in this country.”
The Media Code of Conduct has been fully endorsed by Members of the Guyana Media Owners Association, the Guyana Press Association and the newly formed Independent Media Workers Association of Guyana.
“Together, which is a first, they stood before us and demonstrated their commitment first and foremost to Guyana, to their fraternity, to the many ideals enshrined in the Code of Conduct for covering elections…”
Even as he made reference to historical issues that have the potential to devolve into chaos and alluded to some irresponsible people and organizations who carelessly engage the public, Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, Dr. Steve Surujbally spoke with pride of the Code of Conduct which he regards a self regulation measure which could chart the way forward to free and fair elections.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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