Georgetown: The Guyana Press Association (GPA) held its Annual General Meeting Wednesday where a new President was elected. Members of the fraternity received reports from the outgoing President and new executive members were elected after a six years gap. The event was hosted at the Theatre Guild, Parade Street Kingston.
After serving at the helm of the GPA for several years Gordon Moseley gracefully declined reelections while former Secretary of the Association Neil Marks of Capitol News was elected President unopposed.
All other vacancies within the association were filled by newly elected members. For the post of Vice President Samantha Allen of Stabroek News was elected, while Ivor Wharton of Prime News was elected secretary; Galbert Sutherland of Stabroek News was elected Treasurer and Fareeza Haniff of Inews was elected Assistant Secretary Treasurer.
Meanwhile, other members making up the new executive are Enrico Woolford of Capitol News, Leon Horatio of Chronicle News, Dennis Chabrol of Demerara Waves and former Treasurer of the GPA Nazeema Raghubir.
A clear absence was noted from the state media and the sports reporters’ fraternity. According to outgoing President Gordon Mosley, the Press Association needs the support of its members and the media in executing its mandate.
Mosley said there is need for more regular meetings of the general membership to exchange ideas and move the association forward.
He however, noted that most media operatives basically use the association whenever they need a certificate to allow them to travel under the CSME’s provision for free movement of skills.
“As we move into the elections cycle I encourage media operatives to be smart and not make themselves a part of the story and be responsible in reporting.” He emphasized.
Former Treasurer of the GPA and newly sworn in executive member, Nazeema Raghubir declared that the executive is as strong as its membership. And training is an essential aspect of the association and many of the journalists are not attending these programmes which would benefit their respective media houses.
Newly elected President of the GPA, Neil Marks said that the association is one of voluntary service and many challenges will have to be faced and overcome.
Marks noted that he has served as Secretary of the Association for a number of years, and is committed to the carrying out the responsibilities of President.
“I have worked in the print and broadcast media in Guyana for the past 17 years, and I believe my experience and training over the years will serve to dictate the direction of the Association over the next two years, at the least, particularly along the lines of training and professional development of media workers in Guyana.”
The new GPA president immediate goals are: (1) Seeking funding for the establishment of a functioning Secretariat of the GPA to execute its functions. (2) Establishing a verifiable register of all practicing media workers in Guyana. (3) Hold bi-monthly meetings of the Association to address the needs and concerns of media workers. (4) Promote the development of print and broadcast journalism by organizing quarterly training programmes, conferences and other activities in various areas. (5) Organise an annual Awards/Appreciation Ceremony on World Press Freedom Day and finally to promote immediate responses to occasions when freedom of the press and freedom of journalists come under question.
“I am aware that this will call for hard word, and that is why my number one priority would be to push for the establishment of an executive secretariat to oversee the implementation of various initiatives. Because the Executive of the GPA consists of practicing media workers, implementation of various initiatives has often times not been as efficient as we would have liked.” Marks underscored.
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