Get the code of conduct rolling
Editorial
ARRANGEMENTS are in place for monitoring the media in the run-up to the March 19 elections. And that's good because the scheme is expected to prevent any excesses in this highly politically sensitive season.
The media houses are under the scrutiny of local, regional and international monitors and those who signed on have pledged to abide by a code of conduct.
Code of conduct or no code of conduct, there are those who, since they were created and raised to abide by no rules, will not play by the rules.
And apart from an appeal to decency, there's nothing to stop them doing what they have been doing since the aftermath of the December 15, 1997 elections -- trying to stir trouble.
Those instrumental in getting together the monitoring mechanisms and helping to draft the media code of conduct for these elections, are acutely aware of what has been going on, particularly by a group in the electronic media.
There can be no delusions about the problems with the media in this country and the sometimes furious cries about the state media have little to do with it all.
Guyana has moved light years away from the iron fist of state control over the media that prevailed up to the early 1990s and Guyanese have never seen anything like the free-for-all that prevails in the media landscape today.
It is so free that it is astonishing and there is nothing like it in the Caribbean.
Former General Manager of the Caribbean News Agency (CANA), Mr Harry Mayers, one of the media referees now here under the monitoring arrangements, knows only too well how difficult it was for journalists to operate in Guyana in those years past and will readily recognise the vast changes.
He is well-placed to look at issues taken to the panel and we join in welcoming him and his colleague, Mr Dwight Whylie on what's bound to be an interesting if not unique Guyana assignment.
So the media have their code of conduct.
But what about a code of conduct for those who really matter in this electoral season?
The elections campaign is under way and there's been precious little about a code of conduct for the political parties.
The governing People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) set the stage for the official launching yesterday of its campaign for the March 19 elections by presenting an electoral code of conduct.
General Secretary, Mr Donald Ramotar said the party's electoral code of conduct which will serve as a guide throughout and after the elections period, stresses the PPP/C's commitment to embracing the laws relating to freedom of speech and association in conducting its public political campaign.
The PPP/C says it acknowledges and supports the right of all citizens of Guyana either individually, as a group or through their political parties, to engage in lawful political activities.
These activities include the freedom to make house-to-house visits, sell or distribute political literature, hold private meetings, hold public meetings/rallies, make representation, advertise, and represent their political parties in the electoral process in accordance with the laws of Guyana.
While codes of conduct without sanctions may be of little value, it would be good if others made similar pledges so that their commitment can be judged by their actions.
Let's get the code of conduct rolling where it really matters - among the contestants.
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