Opposition parties not satisfied with state media coverage

The political opposition on Thursday said it is not satisfied with the coverage it has received from state media entities and singled out the Guyana Chronicle, accusing the daily newspaper of planned mischief.

According to Elson Lowe, the Economic Advisor to the Opposition Leader, state media entities have not been reporting fairly on opposition press conferences but would publish extensive articles on the government’s response.

And even in asking for more coverage, Lowe said the Opposition remains cautious.

“It is mischief for the State media not to cover the statements and activities of the Opposition. It is quite another mischief for the State Media to spread propaganda and fake news about the Opposition. The Guyana Chronicle newspaper is guilty,” Lowe told a press conference.

To make his point, the Economic Advisor reminded of a recent report by the newspaper where it claimed that the Leader of the Opposition was denied an opportunity to speak at the Bartica Regatta.

“Nothing could be further from the truth. This and other fabrications highlight what passes as journalism at the Guyana Chronicle. In addition, the newspaper publishes the responses of Vice President Jagdeo to our press statements without reporting fairly or at all on what we actually stated.”

Lowe believes that the negative coverage of the Opposition comes at a cost to the newspaper where it has lost its credibility.

Previously, the Opposition complained about the coverage it receives in Parliament, particularly during the budget debates with senior members of the Opposition Alliance for Change chiding the National Communications Network and the Chronicle for its lack of coverage.

And a member of the main opposition, former Parliamentarian, James Bond has expressed disappointment in the coverage from the Department of Public Information.

“Recently I cannot help but notice your (DPI) page is being used to attack members of the opposition and personalities that have different views to that of Government. That isn’t the mandate of the DPI.

“Mature politics would dictate that the powers that be, direct the managers of DPI to be dispassionate in disseminating information for the consumption of the public. If in the past State media and State resources were abused for partisan political politics then 2023 is a good year to end it,” he wrote on his Facebook page two days ago.