Media monitors criticise talk shows for unfairness, imbalance Stabroek News March 3, 2001 The Media Monitoring Unit (MMU) in its latest report has strongly criticised Guyana's talk shows where "opinions, rumours or unsubstantiated allegations are presented as fact without the presentation of evidence or the opportunity for response." The MMU - in its third report - notes in its overview that "Clem David is a candidate for office and openly promotes his own agenda while criticising his opponents. Kwame McCoy is an unabashed supporter of the incumbent government and the PPP/C. Roger Moore and Mark Benschop are both harsh critics of the government ..Further PNC/R viewpoints are clearly advanced by them on their shows. Viewers who rely on any of these shows for a balanced, fair and accurate presentation of facts or news will be sorely disappointed." These shows, the report states are not expected to be held to the standards applied to news programmes but "rather they might be opportunities for the open discussion of issues and presentation of opinions. None of the shows live up to the standards of balance or fairness." "Mark Benschop on Straight Up....tends towards sensationalism, innuendo, accusations and negative references. He is vehemently opposed to the incumbent government and the PPP/C. Benschop and his guests frequently espouse the PNC/R viewpoint. He does have guests that disagree with him ...and has offered to show a PPP/C tape if they send it to him. Also more than some of the other talk show hosts ...he will allow some criticism of himself and his views. While he repeatedly invites other PPP/C leaders ...and makes a point of saying they refuse ...this may be disingenuous as he will on occasion treat his guests badly, disrespectfully and unfairly. " "On January 22 ...he charged that Trinidadians are coming to Guyana to vote. He also said that the PPP/C is manipulating the voter database. No proof, no facts and no substance were offered to back up any of these allegations. On January 24th he stated with no proof that a minibus has been seen last night in the Mahaicony area distributing guns ...On January 29 a caller began to sing a song .."Desi don't cry no more. Government is run by fassy hole" Rather than cut off the caller making these pejorative and denigrating statements Benschop allowed it to occur and did not make any statements discouraging such bad taste and intolerance." "On the show on January 30 he aired as part of his programme a paid political ad for the PNC/Reform programme...On February 13th Benschop revealed on the show the phone number of a caller who had been abusive to him. While he may have been justified in cutting such a caller off, it appears unprofessional and even potentially dangerous to expose a citizen to retaliation or abuse from Benschop's viewers ..." The MMU report also notes Benschop's recent detention: "Even if the police and other government authorities are blameless or justified in their actions it is important that journalists and citizens be reassured that freedom of the press and freedom of speech are defended. We would urge that a thorough investigation be undertaken and that citizens be informed of all the facts to judge for themselves." Square Talk with Kwame McCoy "This show offers the PPP/C and government viewpoint at the expense of any opposition opinions. During the period we monitored Square Talk, Kwame McCoy hosted mostly PPP/C representatives and espoused PPP/C positions.... He frequently ridicules and insults callers and he cuts off calls with remarkable frequency when he disagrees with what is being said .... On January 23rd McCoy allowed a caller to allege that the PNC rigged the 1985 elections and the caller stated that Desmond Hoyte preaches racism. No other views were aired... On January 31, Mr Lumumba was a guest and he was allowed to charge that Ravi Dev and his party ROAR were planning a coalition. This contradicts other reports and no evidence was offered nor any attempt to find confirmation." "At Home with Roger ..is a continuous campaign advertisement for the PNC/R. ..There is no pretence of balance or objectivity and no attempt to represent opposing views... More disturbing than this openly partisan venue ..are the frequent instances when Roger Moore represents as facts matters for which he offers no proof and no opportunity for response ...On January 26th Moore alleged that the government is shredding documents, moving documents and that a minister took $10M and is sending money out of the country. No evidence for any of this was given ...On January 29th he accused GA 2000 airline of flying to Trinidad to bring people to vote ..He then called the government `idiots' and Minister Rohee an `idiot'". The Sunrise Show with Clem David "... On February 12th Clem David accused the Ministry of Local Government of fraud without any proof, citation of sources or alternative views or responses ..On January 29th David alleged with no supporting evidence that Donald Ramotar, Sam Hinds and a third unnamed person left the country without filling out immigration forms ... The MMU notes in passing that "Voice of the People and Justice For all" are hosted by a presidential candidate and as such are in clear violation of the Media Code of Conduct". The MMU is attached to the Elections Commission and in its previous reports it has assessed the performance of the press and electronic media. This report was the first time that the talk shows were included. 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