Media refereeing panel issues first report
THE Independent Media Monitoring and Refereeing Panel of the Guyana Elections Commission has presented its first report in which it has concluded, though not definitively, that there is overwhelming evidence that much work remains to be done to recover credibility, respect, decency, balance and fair play in the media generally.
The panel said it was very happy to state that so far it had observed nothing to suggest incitement to wrongdoing or race hate.
"There is much to suggest that urgent attention should be paid to the two extremes of Guyana's peculiar media mix - governmental controls at one end of the spectrum and a scary free-for-all at the other", the report said.
It added that the end result was an impudent destruction of norms and codes of conduct on which civil society is based.
The panel's report, released last week, pointed out that in the latter case, people's reputations are being destroyed willy-nilly.
"It is puzzling, based on what has been reported to us and what we have witnessed, that the victims of scurrilous public attacks have not sought recourse in the courts of law", the team said.
The panel comprises former Caribbean News Agency (CANA) General Manager, Mr Harry Mayers and experienced Jamaican broadcaster, Mr Dwight Whylie.
It felt the apparent reluctance to take legal action needs further examination.
"Notwithstanding the obvious problems at the extremes of the media spectrum examined...the panel is of the view that some movement, albeit tentative and imprecise, is being made towards adherence to the Media Code of Conduct, but more needs to be done immediately."
According to the report, on one extreme is the government-controlled media - GTV (television), Guyana Chronicle (newspaper) and GBC and VOG (radio).
On the other extreme are the unregulated television stations and talk shows.
"It is our view that the state-controlled media should serve all of the people of the society equally, regardless of political affiliation."
"They should, as stated in the Code of Conduct: `hold themselves independent and free of any or all Government and political opposition control and direction; and any or all control or direction from any of the political parties officially registered to contest the elections; or any individual group or organisation representing and promoting the special interests of any of these political parties.'"
The report said it is on these grounds that "we therefore question the decision of the management of Guyana Television (GTV) to proceed with the airing of `This week with the President' (programme)."
The panel felt the programme should be discontinued during the official period of campaigning between Nomination Day and Election Day 2001 as it clearly gives President Bharrat Jagdeo an unfair advantage over rival presidential candidates.
"The programme, in our view, is a long, free campaign commercial," the report said.
GTV and the President have since pointed out that the programme has been aired since 1994 and was not suspended during the campaign for the 1997 elections.
With regards to the other extreme, the report noted that there are no statutory requirements or stated programme standards or codes of professional conduct governing television broadcasting in Guyana.
The panel said this has produced a free-for-all with very disturbing consequences for credibility, respect, decency, balance and fair play.
"In the main, the formal `news' programmes broadcast on these television stations reflect attempts to comply with the code."
The report said that from evidence supplied by the Media Monitoring Unit of the Elections Commission, which monitors all output, editorial comment has lessened, and balance has improved.
However, there is often superficial treatment of stories, and a failure, over time, to get all the sides of an issue leading to the presentation of incomplete and inaccurate reports, it concluded.
The report also said that the peculiar case of one talk show host (Mr C.N. Sharma who is a presidential candidate in the elections), demands special attention and comment.
"It graphically highlights an unfortunate dilemma that has arisen from governmental failure to regulate the operations of television stations."
The report also contained recommendations which emanated from the observations and findings. These include: ** The immediate implementation of the recommendation in the Code (Clause 111 - 2 Guidelines) to provide equal and free space and time for all political parties that have met the criteria for contesting the election.
** The state-owned media immediately cease giving de facto free time and space to the President and government. With the dissolution of parliament, and after Nomination Day, the President, who is now a presidential candidate, is entitled to no more or no less free political time and space than any other presidential candidate.
"For the state media to provide free time and space, in excess of that offered to other presidential candidates is, in our view, a violation of the intent and spirit of the Code."
** That all signatories of the code ensure that all their journalistic colleagues are given copies - and full explanations of all the clauses.
** The arrangement of a series of televised debates among all competing party leaders to ensure equal exposure.
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