Prime Minister’s concerns about Guyana Chronicle headline raises spectre of political interference

Last Updated on Tuesday, 25 August 2015, 22:52 by GxMedia

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo Tuesday evening acknowledged that he is “very, very concerned” about a headline in the state-owned Guyana Chronicle and strongly suggested that the paper must toe the government line.

Nagamootoo, however, denied that he spoke with the Chronicle reporter, Derwayne Wills about his concerns concerning the headline ‘Gov’t blunders on Budget Estimates … violates laws assented to by President Granger‘ 

When bombarded with numerous questions by several reporters surrounding his conversation with Wills and government interference in the newspaper, he repeatedly referred us to speak with the reporter.

Wills, who freelances for the Chronicle, declined to speak with his colleagues about the issue. However, someone close to him said he believes “it is hypocrisy, it us downright hypocrisy.”

The A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition had during the 2015 general elections faithfully promised a professionally run state media free of political interference.

Demerara Waves was told that government’s concerns about the headline were raised with a editor at the newspaper.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge was also said to be similarly taken back by the headline.

The issue of government interference in the state media is nothing new to Guyana because administrations led by the People’s National Congress and the People’s Progressive Party Civic have done so for more than 30 years.