2 responses to “Is Guyana Government Threatening Freedom Of The Press By Choking Advertising Dollars”

1. 

   David

   April 30, 2010 at 12:03 pm

   
   

   Our friend Dr. Randy Persaud is in the news:

    

   The Editor:
   Kaieteur Newspapers

   Dear Editor,

   I don’t know what else has to be accomplished for SN and Kaieteur News to show the normal courtesies for the Office of the President and President Jagdeo in particular. Let us get straight to the matter.

   President Jagdeo was given the highest award by the United Nations Environmental Programme. By now you would know that the President received the Champions of the Earth Award from the UNEP for his outstanding contribution towards combating the cataclysmic effects of global climate change. The Award for the President came on the heels of other significant recognitions of Guyana’s pioneering and aggressive policies on sustainable economic Green Growth through the LCDS. The President has been recognised worldwide for the Guyana Model and for Guyana’s leadership.

   On Tuesday 27-04-10, President Jagdeo returned to Guyana from Seoul (where he received the UNEP Award) via Brazil where he attended a Brazil/CARICOM meeting. All the media outlets were advised that there would be a reception at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. A few hundred people turned out and the President was warmly received.

   Despite no advance warning about the reception upon his return to Guyana, the President delivered an informative and uplifting speech on this country’s role in the global drive towards Green Growth. The President was warmly received and he reciprocated by embracing a wide cross section of those in attendance.

   Yet, two self-described independent dailies in Guyana – Stabroek News and Kaieteur News —were not up to scratch. Let me deal with Stabroek News first, because that newspaper did not carry a single line on the event. I repeat; not a single line.

   I am dumfounded by this. I combed through Stabroek News (Wednesday April 28) for its coverage and came up empty handed. Nothing! Zilch! Not a line.

   I called the newspaper to get an explanation. The official line is that “we missed it”. How in the world could a major newspaper like Stabroek News miss a major event like that? I called around and was reliably informed that Stabroek News was indeed notified. In addition to the usual circular from GINA, phone calls were also made to the newspaper. But Stabroek News did not show up.

   Kaieteur News did a much better job, but there was something quite unusual in its coverage. The page 13 story was carried under the title ‘2010 ‘Champion of the Earth’ awardee returns to grand reception’. Awardee – with a common ‘a’? Hello – that ‘awardee’ is the President of this country and he and his office should be treated with much greater respect. How about – ‘President Jagdeo returns to warm reception after UNEP Award’. It that really too much to ask of this independent paper?

   Incidentally, the Kaieteur News story was juxtaposed to another story under the title ‘Plaisance man found dead in trench after beating’. Do you think that this juxtapositioning was an accident? Those of you who have read Philip Agee know different.

   I will simply end by noting that while the President was receiving a prestigious international award, the independent dailies here, and Kaieteur News especially, were carrying columns and letters calling for aggressive protests on the streets.

   You, the reader, should exercise your own independent judgment and decide who is actually on the right side. You should decide if you want economic development or protest on Regent Street and Avenue of the Republic.

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2. 

   David

   May 1, 2010 at 8:52 am

   
   

   Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union

   Press Release

   30th April 2010

   This Labour Day must be one of deep introspection and renewed commitment to the struggles for justice and fair play.

   Tomorrow, Saturday 1st May, is designated Labour Day. This is the day workers take time us to commemorate their struggles and celebrate their economic and social achievements. For many this Labour Day is one of deep introspection and raises burning questions as to the efforts of the employers, including the government to deny them of what they have struggled for and have enshrined as their rights. The unresolved six-month old struggle by the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) with the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc (BCGI) and the Government of Guyana, who is part owner of the company and custodian of our laws, is clear evidence of the transgression of rule of law and the denial of workers’ rights.

   GB&GWU is appreciative and encouraged by the support which it has received so far from both local and international quarters, individuals, organizations and sections of the media.  The support of every single individual from those who signed the petition to those who meet our leaders in the market place and give a word of encouragement has been for GB&GWU a source of comfort and fuel our commitment that justice is worth fighting for.

   GB&GWU singles out its recently received statement of public solidarity for direct response due to the position of this union in Guyana’s labour and political spectrum.  This is the first time in the history of Guyanese Labour we see the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) taking a position that contradicts any political position being advanced by the governing party it has a historic relationship with. Hence, GB&GWU applauds GAWU for breaking ranks with their political bosses on the bauxite dispute which is an unprecedented case of such blatant violations of principles and laws by a government Minister in the post colonial history of Guyana. This type of support is also a necessary step in the right direction for solidarity is the vehicle which trade unions utilize to fight for rights and justice for workers and society.

   The bauxite dispute can no longer be classified simply as a labour dispute when the labour laws, international conventions and UN declarations are in favour of bauxite workers and the Minister of Labour as representative of the government is failing to act. This struggle is no longer simply about dereliction of duty, rights and the rule of Law; it is underpinned by an autocratic government bent on destroying the economic base of a people and is driven by racial and political biases. It is aimed at destroying labour and communities seemingly supportive of the opposition parties.

   In this context that we choose to define, GAWU’s solidarity is historical and welcomed as an eye opener to all Guyanese who feel that silence will get them through the tough times in a morphing dictatorial  and autocratic political environment, where one’s inherent differences  dictates one’s rights.

   What GB&GWU finds most instructive, is GAWU acknowledgement that they too can be “victims one day”- a matter of self preservation. GB&GWU reinforces this point of self preservation to all unions, all civic organizations, leaders and individuals in our society regardless of race, class or political persuasion that remaining silent in the face of this historical transgression against bauxite workers by Minister Manzoor Nadir, the Government of Guyana and BCGI is endangering your own survival and eroding your chances for justice in this land. For as Dr. Martin Luther King said , “each time you allow your rights to be trampled upon and each time you allow justice and  rule of law to be subverted and transgressed you  are setting a dangerous precedent that cause you dearly.”

   We send this same message to those who deny us the right to expression, the right to name our sufferings, those who malign us or give the impression that our fight for justice is wrong and even destructive without holding Minister Nadir, Yoganand Persaud, Mohamed Akeel, BCGI and the PPP government accountable to the taxpayers of this land. We say to you your actions give support to the attacks on a section of the Guyanese population under threat of socio-cultural, economic and political aggression from a government that allows a foreign company to enter our lands and violate us as they themselves seek to do.  In the words of one United States Supreme Justice, Louis Dembitz Brandeis, “Our government… teaches the whole people by its example. If the government becomes the lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy.” As a united people, regardless of race, class or political persuasion we must hold our government accountable to the people, lest we all become consumed.

   There will be no relenting in our efforts to have the rule of law and the rights of bauxite workers and every worker respected and honoured. As a union targeted for open hostility by the government and employer we remain strong and steadfast in our struggles against oppression and transgression of rights and join with all workers (unionized or not) in taking a stand for what is fair and just.

   Solidarity!

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