DPI responds to malicious Newsroom/eNetworks articles

DPI media release, Tuesday, December 11, 2018

The Department of Public Information provides the following information in response to two malicious articles appearing on the Newsroom website which is operated by the eNetworks cable company.

Firstly, in an article under the headline, ‘Gov’t fires Commissioner of Information Charles Ramson’ the following is reported, “[t]he Government has fired Commissioner of Information Charles Ramson and has left funding for this office blank.’.

This is incomplete reportage and therefore appears to be a deliberate mischief. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo clearly advised the Committee of Supply of the National Assembly that funding for the office of the Commissioner of Information is provided for under line item 6284 of the budget of the Office of the Prime Minister.

Secondly, an article under the headline, ‘DPI gets $310M subsidy; lone contracted artist is AFC Executive’ reports that DPI engages a single provider for layout and design services. This is patently and completely false.

For the year 2018 DPI engaged the services of five graphic artists, four of whom have worked on the seven newspapers produced by DPI.

In addition, the graphic artist named in the Newsroom article provided services to DPI long before his spouse came into the employ of the department. Any insinuation that his spouse influenced his engagement with DPI is malicious and false.

The Newsroom article is framed in a way meant to misinform and deceive the public and create mischief.

Further DPI notes the deliberate identification and persecution of young Guyanese professional by Newsroom/eNetworks and their agents, having been baited by opposition PPP Member of Parliament Juan Edghill who raised this issue in the Committee of Supply with an inflammatory and reckless question, clearly with a view to incite the public persecution which is now being gleefully executed by Newsroom/eNetworks.

DPI recognizes the right of all Guyanese to work and proudly has on staff persons of various political persuasions (including persons who are openly supportive of the opposition PPP), religious beliefs, ethnicities etc. DPI also engages a diverse range of Guyanese owned and operated businesses from time to time for various services. DPI has proudly sought out Guyanese small businesses owned and operated by young Guyanese entrepreneurs both for the provision of services and to showcase on our various platforms.

All engagements are done in conformity with all relevant accounting and applicable procedures and DPI is fully audited by the Auditor General’s office.

DPI calls on Newsroom/eNetworks, in whose employ there are known anti-DPI and anti-government agents, to embrace responsible journalism, difficult as this may be for those with ulterior motives and thinly veiled agendas.