Georgetown :The Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM) acknowledges with deep concern, the decision by outgoing Guyana President, Bharrat Jagdeo, to shut down the privately owned television station CNS TV Channel 6.
The decision was made even as the case relating to the station broadcasting a defamatory commentary on its airwaves is engaging the local courts.
The ACM sees the initial directive to close the station at the height of the election season, as a direct attack on press freedom.
The subsequent announcement of the reversal of this directive, even at a political rally, is evidence of efforts to stifle free expression and to promulgate political interference in the work of the state.The Association unequivocally condemns the Guyana President’s statements, referring to journalists as ‘vultures’ and ‘carrion crows’. We see it as inflammatory, designed to endanger the lives of media practitioners and their families.
The ACM cannot allow this to go on checked and as such we call on President Jagdeo to publicly apologize and retract his statements. We do not want to see a precedent set in the region of public officials, inciting hatred and violence against media houses and professionals, and being allowed to get away with it.
The Association of Caribbean Media Workers is further calling for the complete withdrawal of the suspension against CNS TV Channel 6, which is now set to take effect in December, following the elections. The matter is in the hands of the court of law and a continuation of the directive to suspend the Channel could be seen as tantamount to muzzling.
ACM fully endorses the swift response of the Guyana Press Association which unmistakably assisted in forcing the postponement of the suspension.
ACM will continue to monitor the situation in Guyana and stands ready to lend further support to the Guyana Press Association
