Guyana Times/Inews “reprimanded” for false COI reports – Reporters urged to uphold “principles and morals”

DPI, GUYANA, Thursday, March 15, 2018

Chairman of the Lindo Creek Commission of Inquiry (COI) Justice (retd) Donald Trotman had reason today to upbraid the Guyana Times Newspaper and its website Inews for “false reporting” on the hearings of the COI.

The chairman, who had earlier this month raised the issue, did not identify the name of the news outfit at that time. However, today, he said he needed to name the “miscreant” media for their reporting on the COI so as to preserve the continuing integrity of the commission.

Chairman Trotman raised the most recent hearing, held on March 13, where Police Commissioner (retd), Seelall Persaud had appeared to give evidence. According to the Chairman, the Guyana Times reported that the witness “emphatically maintains that the men (miners) were executed by ‘Fineman’ gang.” The same report, he said, was peddled by Inews.

“I, therefore, wish to reprimand the authors of both of those outlets for the incorrectness of their reporting.” He continued, “this commission, has among its main purposes, to find the truth of what happened. And the pursuit of that objective by the commission, will not be helped by lies which seek to counter that truth and objective.”

The chairman said the commission is being held in high regard, similar to the High Court and therefore, its power that could be exercised punitively. “For the time being, it does not want to do so. What I want to do, is to advise those errant reporters to take stock of their own professional integrity, to be reminded and remind themselves of this honourable profession and to hold its principles and morals as best as they could.”

 

By: Alexis Rodney