GPA urges respect for media professionals
—calls on political leaders to openly discourage actions that undermine journalists
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, March 10, 2020
The Guyana Press Association has released a statement urging respect for media professionals, as reports have been made of media operatives increasingly becoming targets of post-election activities attacks.
In the press release, the GPA urged all political leaders to desist from creating conditions for the perpetuation of media harassment and the dampening of press freedom.
“We have received several reports of threats of violence against journalists on social media and attempts to interfere with the work of media operatives covering events that have followed the March 2 General and Regional Elections,” the release said.
The GPA also called on the leadership of all political parties and other stakeholders to openly discourage actions that undermine journalists’ work.
“There is a stringent process of media accreditation to determine the bona fides of local journalists and other media workers and we would expect that all due regard be paid and courtesies extended to these professionals in the execution of their duties.”
The release further noted that an alert on the dangers being posed by these practices is being developed by the Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM) for onward transmission to its international partners.
See full statement below.
The Guyana Press Association (GPA) is noting with deep concern the degree to which media operatives are increasingly becoming the targets of attacks related to the ongoing post-elections situation.
We have received several reports of threats of violence against journalists on social media and attempts to interfere with the work of media operatives covering events that have followed the March 2 General and Regional Elections.
There is a stringent process of media accreditation to determine the bona fides of local journalists and other media workers and we would expect that all due regard be paid and courtesies extended to these professionals in the execution of their duties.
The GPA also calls on the leadership of all political parties, state authorities and interest groups to openly discourage actions that can have the impact of undermining the work of journalists and their media enterprises.
We urge all political leaders to cease and desist from creating conditions for the perpetuation of media harassment and the dampening of press freedom.
An alert on the dangers being posed by these practices is being developed by the Association of Caribbean MediaWorkers (ACM) for onward transmission to its international partners.