This morning I feel particularly privileged to deliver the opening remarks on behalf of the opposition parliamentary parties at this historic gathering of media luminaries and parliamentarians. Without a doubt this seminar comes at a time when in the opinion of the opposition, and most right thinking people of Guyana, the freedom of the press in under threat by both state and non-state actors. There is a growing body of opinion which says, and with justification, that we are witnessing the rolling back of fundamental rights and freedoms in Guyana to an Orwellian time when we too can lament that “In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.”
Recent events involving the Stabroek News, CNS Channel 6, the continuation of the exclusion of the Opposition and Civil Society from the state owned media, and the refusal to share information on matters of public interest such as the sale of state assets, have brought the notions of the right to information, freedom of the press, and the responsibilities of the media into sharp focus. The convening of this workshop at this time is therefore not only propitious, but imperative as it will serve to better define our expected roles and responsibilities as media workers and law makers. Moreover a greater good will be achieved in that we will become, hopefully, better educated as to what is appropriate and what is not, and why in the discharge of our respective functions there are certain universal expectations of us. In this regard we therefore expect that uninformed statements like the ones which say that that the judiciary is threatening and challenging the executive and that the media is attempting to bring down the government will be banished from our discourse as those who make them will become educated and edified as to our roles as legislators and media practitioners.
We trust that as we go through the various topics of this workshop that democracy’s foundation pillars, such as the rule of law and the separation of powers, shall be re-discovered by those who ought to know better, understood by those who have no understanding, and championed by all of us who took an oath to uphold the constitution and laws of our country.
Useful and Helpful Information
From the legislator’s point of view, and speaking to our colleagues from the media, we expect that you too will be better enabled to distinguish between useful and helpful information on the one hand, and utter trash and sensationalism on the other. Too many times we have seen reports which are improperly researched, riddled with errors, and overtly biased. There is a greater duty on your part perhaps more so than on us, to be fair and balanced. We have to rise to the occasion at times by placing national interest above sales and revenue and refrain from shouting fire when there is only a spark to be seen. Freedom of speech as we all know comes with corresponding responsibilities. Likewise, we will have to learn that shots of the Honourable Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition taking a power nap in Parliament may actually bring the institution of parliament into disrepute. Unless of course the opportunity to take a nap arises as when a certain Minister who has certain responsibilities dealing with roads and bridges, but who shall remain nameless, rises to speak.
Access or the Right to Information
Greatest of all my expectations of this workshop is that which suggests that we will move one step closer to the realization of access to information legislation in Guyana. As part of deep and abiding interest in the promotion of our fading democracy I presented a Freedom of Information Bill to the National Assembly in 2006. This bill is neither unique, or my property, but belongs wholly to the people of Guyana. This draft bill was crafted after the Trinidad and Tobago Act and so the interaction with our colleagues from the twin Island Republic will be helpful. Thanks to the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative based in India, we were able to submit a bill that is of international standards.
Many gainsay the need for this type of legislation when, in their opinions, more pressing and deliberate problems such as hunger, injustice and intolerance abound. I say to them that access to information is now the most precious of rights and the most basic of human necessities in an every changing, and sometimes perilous world. Without knowledge, no informed decisions can be taken by the people, and by the governments which are expected to govern on their behalf. In fact I hasten to add that I can see no earthly and upstanding reason why any government would, in the 21st century, wish to suppress or disallow the right to information and efforts to enshrine that right.
After some reservation the main opposition PNCR party has publicly signaled its support and we are very grateful to them. Regrettably, to date, the governing party has not, and disappointingly too, the Press Association and others with an interest in democracy, and have not in my opinion, done sufficient to advance the cause.
There are examples throughout the world where it has been established empirically, that right to information legislation has made a profoundly positive difference in the lives of hundreds of millions of people. Whether it be in Bangladesh and India where access to information has been found to directly reverse poverty, or in neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago where the democracy is stronger.
We expect that at the end of this seminar all of us, media, government, and opposition alike will have a better appreciation for matters not only constitutional, but also human, and a greater willingness to embrace these tenets of democracy not only in word, but also in action.
I feel constrained to say this morning that Guyana’s current trajectory does not put it on a steady and certain course towards peace, stability, and development; established on a strong foundation of democracy. We are running out of time and resources to get it right. In the spirit of change and a better tomorrow I ask those sharing their knowledge and experiences with us to do so with a passion and purpose that says you are ensuring that we are not present at another talk-shop. Those of us invited to be present must forge a better relationship founded on consensus, transparency, and inclusivity. I implore you at this time of our 42nd anniversary to do no less but to act on behalf of Guyana. Indeed, what will it suffer us to choose change (no pun intended), and to try a different way of living with each other? A friend recently re-acquainted me with the word “sufferance”- “Tacit consent, permission, or toleration implied by abstinence from objection”. We have all been weighed, measured and found guilty in this regard. Let us resolve to put a stop to it from today. It was Mahatma Gandhi who taught us that the spirit of democracy cannot be superimposed from the outside. It must come from within. I still believe we have it within us to wake up and to do what is necessary to establish a true democracy where provision is made to ensure that the people are properly informed, and the voices of all will be heard and listened to in the decision making processes.
We in the Opposition are proud to be associated with this workshop and wish it every success.
Thank you.
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