Georgetown: President David Granger, speaking today at the annual presidential media brunch, called on members of the local media corps to honour their obligation to one of the pillars of Journalism, “social responsibility”.
President Granger, who founded the Guyana Review News magazine in 1992 and served as its Managing Editor, urged media workers to ensure “accuracy” in their reports at all times.
“Fact checking is an important element in your social responsibility” the President noted.
The President restated his government’s position on training for journalists, noting the availability of the finances for the Guyana Press Association (GPA) to embark on this undertaking.
“Education is important and I would like to feel that everyone entering the profession of journalism is given some training; education schooling on the Principles of Journalism …you can’t go into a profession, and journalism is a profession, without knowledge.”
He issued a call to GPA to ensure the third Principle of Journalism, “Self-regulation” is practiced.
“Persons who don’t conform to the value and standards must be sanctioned by their peers” he said.
Giving support to a call by media veteran, Enrico Wolford, the President agreed that some form of publication should be done to commemorate the GPA’s 75th anniversary.
“Articles about the press in Guyana over the last 74 years, ups and down and difficulties, history of the Guyana press association should be published.”
President Granger pledged his government’s continued support in this regard.
“I would like to pledge government’s support to publish some form of history so that young entrants in the profession could understand what you went through over the last 74 years,” the President explained.
He also thanked the media for coverage, specifically for their sensitivity towards his illness within the last month. The Head of State returned to Guyana from the Republic of Cuba on January 1st after completing another round of treatment for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
The annual media brunch hosted at the Baridi Benab, State House, is aimed at improving the relationship between the media and the State, as well as enhancing relationships within the local media fraternity.
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