GUYANA | Roysdale Forde Urges Strengthed Press Freedom in Guyana

 LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor,

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Sept. 16, 2025 -  On September 12, 2025, Reporters Without Borders issued a resounding call to President Irfaan Ali’s administration, urging immediate and concrete steps to strengthen press freedom in Guyana.

This is not a mere suggestion but a stark warning from a global authority on media rights, highlighting the troubling contraction of democratic space under a government that professes transparency while systematically stifling dissent.

The recent press conference hosted by President Ali exemplifies this alarming trend. By selectively excluding accredited media houses and imposing strict limitations on permissible questions, the administration revealed a calculated effort to control the narrative and suppress scrutiny.

Such actions are not the hallmarks of a confident, democratic government but rather betray an unsettling aversion to accountability.

Guyana’s dismal 73rd ranking in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index serves as a damning indictment of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration.

While President Ali may highlight economic growth and oil-driven prosperity, this ranking exposes a harsh reality: no amount of wealth can conceal the erosion of civil liberties or the deliberate intimidation of the free press.

As Edward R. Murrow once warned, “A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves.” Guyana’s declining press freedom signals a dangerous slide toward such a reality, where democratic principles are sacrificed for control.

The press is not a mere accessory to democracy; it is its lifeblood. Journalists are not adversaries but guardians of the public interest, wielding their tools to uncover corruption, challenge overreach, and empower citizens with truth.

Nelson Mandela aptly stated, “A critical, independent, and investigative press is the lifeblood of any democracy.” When the press is silenced, democracy itself is suffocated, leaving citizens defenseless against unchecked power.

Yet, under President Ali’s leadership, a troubling pattern persists: media workers are marginalised, critical voices are blacklisted, and state resources are weaponised to suppress dissent.

By curating press conferences to exclude credible media and restrict questions, the administration does not merely evade scrutiny; it actively dismantles the mechanisms that enable it. A government that fears open inquiry invites suspicion of hidden motives.

True leadership embraces accountability, not aversion. The media is not an obstacle but a cornerstone of democratic governance. When that cornerstone is undermined, it is the duty of every citizen and every defender of Guyana’s Constitution to stand in defense of press freedom.

If the PPP/C administration is truly committed to democratic values, then it must open the doors to unfettered journalistic inquiry. Allow the press to fulfill its vital role without fear or favor. Until then, claims of democratic integrity ring hollow, and Guyana remains under a regime that prioritizes control over accountability.

Sincerely

Roysdale Forde S.C.