Freddie Kissoon: International Appeal For SOLIDARITY And ACTION

Freddie Kissoon

BU is following closely what is happening to the man we have dubbed the ‘Fearless Journalist’ Professor Freddie Kissoon. The silence of regional media and governments is unacceptable on this matter. The following is reproduced from an email.

WE THE UNDERSIGNED are asking all International Organisations to call upon the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana as well as the Guyana Government (despite attempts to distant itself) to give a full account for its discriminatory action against Mr. Kissoon and to keep an eye on the these adverse developments in Guyana…’

The Constitution of the Republic of Guyana protects the right to freedom of expression and elected Government Ministers regularly proclaim their respect for the Rule of Law accordingly, but these assurances still do not protect those who use their freedom to expose and challenge violations by the executive level of the Government.

Professor Frederick Kissoon knows this better than most, since has been a relentless critic in his Kaieteur News columns of the flaws in governance, of corruption and of privileges accorded to the rulers and their friends. For his pains, the University of Guyana, the country’s only university, has just scrapped his contract and sent him packing after 26 years as lecturer in Political Science.

Media Threat Intensified By PPP Administration

Lincoln Lewis, General Secretary Guyana Trades Union Congress - Press Release

In the wake of an attack on the media by President Jagdeo and the recent threat by Gail Texiera of reporting certain media houses to the United Nations, GTUC urges government to go right ahead without delay. We are assured that the blanket control and domination of state media, restriction of broadcast licenses, suppression and intimidation of independent media, economic destruction of the media by targeting of advertisers to deny media freedom, use of the media as a wedge to divide society and create ethnic tensions and violence as well as disseminate PPP propaganda, will make for interesting analysis before an independent arbiter of the United Nations. Additionally the consequence of fear of expression forces media self censorship  in order to survive ;job losses and increased prices also result as media houses increase prices to offset advertisement suppression would make for interesting disclosures. These too relate to efforts and consequences of media suppression that the UN would be interested in.

GTUC has a direct interest in media freedom as this is foundational to free, fair, transparent and credible elections and forging a society where the rule of law and good governance can prevail. It is the media’s role as a pillar of democracy to protect the rights of every citizen and where necessary expose those who violate the laws of the land and the rights of others. The PPP government clearly does not desire that their activities be exposed for they would prefer that Guyanese live in ignorance of their misdeeds and corruption, their lies, nepotism and their criminal associations such as Roger Khan.