Georgetown :A Partnership For National Unity (APNUY says the threat by the Minister of Housing and Water, Mr. Irfaan Ali, to file a libel suit against Dr. Rupert Roopnarine and the Stabroek News as yet another attempt by the ruling party to bully the private media into submission. The constant pressure on the private media to censor every word they print or broadcast from the opposition is contrary to the spirit and letter of freedom of expression as guaranteed by the constitution.
APNU claims the ruling party is clearly abusing its authority in pursuit of a vindictive agenda against those whom it perceives to be critical of its stewardship of the country.
Mr. Ali’s claim that Dr. Roopnarine, in a reference to the fictional character Ali Baba during his speech at an APNU rally, suggested he was corrupt is clearly a case of hypersensitivity. It is an attempt to distract the populace from the real issues surrounding the PPP/C’s record in government. Likewise his charge of religious bigotry is so laughable it would ordinarily not deserve comment.
