This Week with the President does not breach media code - GTV Stabroek News February 23, 2001 The state-owned television station has defended its showing of the programme "This week with the President" so close to elections. The Independent Media Monitoring and Refereeing Panel in its first report, described the programme as one "long, free campaign commercial" and said it was in violation of the media code of conduct which states that media should "hold themselves independent and free of any or all government and political opposition control and direction..." But General Manager of the Guyana Television Broadcasting Company (GTV), Martin Goolsarran, said in a statement yesterday the "main objective of the programme is to inform viewers and the wider Guyanese public on issues of national importance that have engaged the presidency... "This programme is not intended to give advantage to any political party or to any presidential candidate. Consistent with what obtains in many advanced democracies, the President and the government of the day is accountable to the nation for its programmes and policies. GTV's role in this instance is to facilitate this accountability by providing relevant national information to the public. "The management of GTV further notes that in the preamble of the refereeing panel's report it was pointed out that its conclusions are not 'final' and 'definitive'. It is expected that the above will further inform the panel's opinion. GTV will continue to abide with and respect the media code of conduct." The panel, headed by Harry Mayers and Dwight Whylie both Caribbean media experts, is distinct from the Media Monitoring Unit attached to the Elections Commission although their functions--to monitor elections coverage--are similar. In its report the panel stated: "We are happy to state that so far we have observed nothing to suggest incitement to wrongdoing or race hate..." However it was concerned that "people's reputations were being destroyed willy nilly" and added that "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. This apparent reluctance to take legal action needs further examination." Follow the goings-on in Guyana in Guyana Today If you do not see the 'Guyana: Land of Six Peoples' drop-down menu on the left then please click here to enter through the front door which will give you additional options and information.