BOSAI bars KN reporter from covering US$150M Maz Project commissioning

Jul 08, 2023 News

Kaieteur News – BOSAI Minerals on Friday barred reporters attached to Kaieteur News and INFO 10 Media from providing coverage to the company’s Kiln #15 and US$150M Maz Project in Linden, Region 10.

When the reporters attempted to enter the compound, staff at the entrance sternly informed the reporters that they do not have permission to enter and that no media personnel other than the state media is allowed to enter the facility.

President Irfaan Ali and several of his ministers as well as the Chinese Ambassador to Guyana and officials of Region 10 attended the commissioning ceremony in the mining town.

The reporters were then asked which media entity they represent and before uttering Kaieteur News, the security personnel said they were given instructions to not have the media houses enter.

The barring of the media was witnessed by regional officials who tried to intervene with along with BOSAI’s Public Relations Officer Sherry Domer.

Domer and the General Manager indicated that no such instruction was given however other journalists alleged that the instruction was indeed given by Domer based on a recent article written by Kaieteur News relative to barring employees from engaging the media. The instructions were reportedly handed down from ‘higher up’.

When the article was published, Domer contacted the Linden correspondent for Kaieteur News, who related that she did not write the article and that her grievances should be made with the Editor.

The countenance of BOSAI in relation to treatment of the media was condemned by regional officials and other members of the media who expressed disappointment in barring the fourth estate from an event where government officials are being featured.

The move by BOSAI also demonstrated the company’s politicizing of the momentous event by only inviting State media and giving strict orders for independent media operatives not to attend and more so allegedly over an article that held the company accountable for silencing employees.

Regional Chairman Deron Adams expressed disappointment with what transpired and said it formed part of his reason for leaving the event prematurely. Similarly, Member of Parliament (MP) Jermaine Figueira also expressed anger and disgust over the incident.

“The fourth estate helps not just by reporting and providing information but also by keeping elected officials, individuals and businesses in check in relation to the laws of the country. This being a monumental occasion for the company and the community at large, it is worrying and it begs the question why would a company that is integral to the economic sustainability of this community with the largest employ of people with over 500 staff as private company not want the community via the media to share in this level of investment that will benefit the community with boosting investors interest and increasing the prospects for the creation of more permanent jobs opportunities for the people with the community,” Figueira said.

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BOSAI Minerals, INFO 10 Media, Kaieteur News, President Irfaan Ali, project

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BOSAI bars KN reporter from covering US$150M Maz Project commissioning

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