Harmon endorses GPA call for GDF to take media to borders

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon on Friday, January 26, 2018 endorsed the call made by the Guyana Press Association (GPA) for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to put systems in place to allow the media to provide coverage on activities at the country’s borders.

At a post cabinet press briefing, the State Minister recalled that GPA Vice President, Zoisa Fraser made the pitch at the recent Presidential Media Brunch.

“It is one at which the level of the Government, the National Security Committee and the level of the GDF we are prepared to embrace,” the Minister stated.

According to the State Minister, such an activity would be of national interest.

“Clearly it is in the national interest to have reporters going there and letting the Guyanese people to see through their lens or through their pens what is happening on our borders,” he expressed.

At the media brunch, Fraser called on Head of State David Granger to support the GPA’s quest in extending coverage to those far-flung areas.

“The Guyana Press Association seeks the support of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces in facilitating greater understanding and appreciation of our border locations especially the one to our west. We specifically ask that you use your esteemed office to have the Guyana Defence Force facilitate visits by groups of media personnel to that border area during this year. This will undoubtedly aid in creating a better understanding by us and the wider Guyanese community who may never get an opportunity to visit that area,” she stated.

The GPA had followed up with a correspondence to the GDF dated January 15, 2018 requesting a meeting to develop its relationships but the Force has not yet responded to the letter.