The Jagdeo Govt press report: horrible

Mar 31, 2025 Features / Columnists, The GHK Lall Column

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Hard Truths…

By GHK Lall

Kaieteur News- It was just a matter of time.  No one could be that much of a serial offender and get away with their verbal brutalities.  Just when Guyana’s Vice President of Information and all National Affairs (take a rest Cde. Gail), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo thought he was home free, time caught up with him.  His deeds, too.  It has to hurt, for he was deep inside his own backyard, with only months to go before elections, and the press watchers nabbed him and his government.  Abusers of members of the independent media.  Playing the State media for a poke.  Soft soap reporting due to fear of retaliation.  Widespread atrocities committed in the scorched earth culture of his government.  Admittedly, I took some liberties with the language, but the underlying circumstances are indisputable.  Guyanese know about police riots (Chicago and the 1968 Democratic Convention).  But who in Guyana ever heard of a political leadership riot repeated every Thursday afternoon year after year?  If only Jagdeo had been more disciplined, patiently managed himself up to the elections, he could have effortlessly promoted himself from authoritarian to totalitarian leader.

A global group named CIVICUS called out both President Ali and Vice President Jagdeo for their zeal in engaging in verbal brawls with two objectives in mind. First, to contradict reality by touting the PPP Government’s integrity, decency, humanity, transparency, accountability, piety, and commitment to national unity.  Somebody just expelled honesty from this country, and I know that it is not me.  The second objective is to strike down, putdown, and shutdown dissenting voices.  In Germany about a hundred years ago, dissenting voices were branded as “undesirables.”  There were penalties attached.  But “parasites” and ‘undesirables’ are how critical presences have been degraded in this country.  The PPP Government’s stormtroopers (Live in Guyana) have been set loose on Guyanese who the party and its brass find objectionable, and who must be silenced by any means.  And, by any leadership wink-and-nod.  Go get ‘em, boy(s)!  Its taxpayer incentivized commandoes know the game and they go at it with gusto as cyberbullies hiding behind the veils of social media.  It is worthwhile employment.  Those who don’t snare million-dollar jobs, latch onto multimillion dollar deals.  Among the best jobs in this country is to be the PPP Government’s first responders to those found to be nuisances (another euphemism for disposables).

The Guyana Press Association took a beating.  And like Deep South demagogues, such as Alabama’s favorite sons: Keeper of the Peace Bull Connor and Governor Wallace, plus Governor Faubus of Arkansas, the good ole boys in the PPP takeout women by any foul means. The fouler the better (refer to the assaults on Nazema Raghubir and Davina Bagot, among others).  One journalist, a real pain-in-the craw type, had his vehicle shot at, because he’s a tireless digger and revealer.  Talking about weapons put into action, there is that heavy duty one.  State ads.  The government knows who to steer them to, and where to stop them from going.

It is a shame that the Americans, British, Canadians, and Euros have come to view the Ali and Jagdeo government’s assaults on the Fourth Estate as Guyana’s version of blood sport.  Without the blood.  To this point.  My interpretation of the ABCE indifference is that their brains have become fried from getting drunk on cheap oil and an array of cheap business contracts.  It took an overseas-based outfit like CIVICUS to highlight the deplorable state in which the independent press is forced to operate here.  Suddenly, all the ambassadors and high commissioners and others of that stripe see nothing, say nothing, and stand for nothing where press abuse is concerned.  I suppose they are conserving their energy for election festivities close to Christmas.  Ah, two rollicking seasons rolled into one.

I have always said that if a leader has done no wrong, he has no one and nothing to fear.  Certainly not the independent media.  There’s no need for friendly ones and their farces.  If a leader didn’t lie before, then he doesn’t have to lie low later in front of the press.  Or resort to waiting in ambush and then stabbing in the back (State ads).  If a leader has nothing to hide, then he doesn’t have to hide himself in the folds of social media (or behind the dirty tricks of his or her hooligan army).  This has been extended as a courtesy and a reminder to all local leaders, none more than Irfaan Ali and Bharrat Jagdeo, two stalwart doctors with the worst bedside manners.  People are watching, and they’re broadcasting.  Even worse, both have now earned a rap for having soft heads where criticism is concerned.  One strong, straight verbal jab at either of the two and their glass jaws crumble.  Try more calcium, gents.

The press has its role, and it is not to be brownnosers to government leaders and ministers.  Nor to any politician.  A vibrant press is seen as a boon by honorable leaders.  They listen, they learn, they adjust.  Sometimes they agree, other times they don’t.  Standard practice.  In contrast, leaders who have compiled a deceptive record, one that gets sick in sunlight, must always look over their shoulder.  Or sew their gums together.  Or lash out in futile efforts to cover their tracks.  Outsiders take note and report.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)   

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