Tensions between the government and the US Embassy escalated over the weekend with the ruling party labeling the US Ambassador as a meddler in local politics.
This was following criticisms by Ambassador D. Brent Hardt on Friday of Government’s hand in censoring the local media.
The ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP), in a statement late Saturday night titled “Journalists must recommit to Guyana’s developmental agendaâ€, was harsh in its assessment of the diplomat.
“US Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Brent Hardt, a known meddler in local politics, must be rebuked for his assertion that censorship of the media is practiced by the government. At the same time he purposefully ignores the Opposition slashing of the budgetary resources for NCN and GINA. This exposes the political duplicity of this individual.â€
The PPP statement of Saturday, however, insisted on the use of the term “opposition mediaâ€.
“The party notes the political venom and hate spewed by the opposition media, namely, Kaieteur News and Stabroek News in their attempts to destabilise and undermine the ruling PPPC administration. The party wishes to remind the opposition media that their acts by their very nature undermine the principal tenets of press freedom, and freedom of expression in Guyana.â€
The party said that it believed that journalists need to address the development agenda with the same zeal and intensity as they pursue their own selfish and narrow political interests.
“The PPP is committed to an environment where the news and information is fueled by facts and not the whims and fancies of the rumour mills.â€
