Anna Perreira - student: 'They both worsen the situation and they have a positive role to play. Because they provide a forum where people can call in or write in or come and discuss the issues that are relevant to society. But some of them can be really biased. There are a lot of them. Sometimes they accuse certain parties of certain things because they have their own agenda. They blatantly manipulate the facts, turning the truth around to suit their own interests. Sometimes they cross the line. They should be monitored or censored. The press may have the right to speak freely but some go overboard. Some motivate people to do certain things; the wrong things. They should try to be more responsible because their words have impact. They should bring the news and issues to people, not manipulate the facts to further corrupt the situation.'

Ganesh Persaud - farmer: `What I don't really like is when they talk about the government. When they criticize the government. The President is trying his best. They are disturbing the country right now. They don't seem to have any role to play. All of them are the same. They are doing the same thing. Something should be done to regulate what they can say because sometimes it's dangerous. They influence people. They make people do negative things.'

Richard Paul - self-employed: 'I feel some of them are doing a good job, sending out a positive message. And I think there are others who are instigators, building the tension among the people. Some of the remarks they make, they say things without doing research. They should do proper research before they make certain statements. And then not everything they think is news should be reported. Some of the things they say can be very damaging. Some talk show hosts have information that the police don't even have. They should give the police the information even before thinking about broadcasting it on the air. Some of them should be more responsible. They have an important role to play; to edify us, to teach us. That's why the burden is on them to be more responsible.'

Rhonda Van Longe - private sector employee: 'I don't think they worsen any problem. They normally focus on the issues, like crime and police harassment. I don't feel there is any danger in anything they say. They research properly. They don't contribute to any of the problems, they are just trying to bring out the truth. The problems are always there, they are just highlighting them. They have an interest in what is going on and they are representing the interest of the people. That's why they are bringing out the truth.'

Natasha Sankar - accounts clerk: `Some of them do exacerbate the problems in society. There are people who are fair, but look at some of the things some of them say. Some of them they're biased. They don't see both sides. But they do have a useful role to play by easing the situation. Encouraging people to do the right things or simply presenting the facts as they are. But some things should not be said on television. They are not responsible, they are more or less inciting people to behave in an inappropriate way. They are allowing politics to rule them. Because of politics they are biased. Air the news. Talk about it. Comment. But remember people are listening. Be more positive, they should not only highlight negative things. Just think about the things you are saying and remember the people that are listening.'

Romeo Kowlessar - interpreter: `Well, in essence, a television station or a radio station, they are all educational institutions and if the people are not allowed to express their opinions, this is a violation of the 1944 Atlantic Treaty enunciated by President Roosevelt. It would be a violation of the four freedoms. Two freedoms to: a freedom to speak and a freedom to worship; and two freedoms from: a freedom from hunger and a freedom from fear. As it is the Guyanese citizens are not guaranteed of these freedoms. The people who monitor these `journalists' they are infringing on the principles of democracy. If what they are saying is an infraction on the laws of libel they should be prosecuted. But until that day comes, they are free to educate the nation and the institutions they represent.'

Maria Buckley - student: 'I don't think they worsen the situation and neither do I think they play a positive role because there are some who are politically inclined. And because of the situation we are in, where there is racial discrimination, we find some representing the interest of a certain race or political group. I don't think they necessarily worsen the situation, since in the end it's up to what the people do. They are some who I enjoy and there are some however, who really send out racial or political messages and cause persons to act. There are some who are responsible and others who go on and then say anything. But I do think they have a contribution to make because they are the ones who get the message out to the people.'

Steven Belony - student: 'I think they play a positive role. They inform us about the issues which are affecting the nation, news and politics. But some of them put out the wrong message and cause people to create riots or other things. Some don't think before they talk. Some are very one-sided. They don't look at the other side. They only uphold their own views, right or wrong and don't ever make an attempt to look at the other side or change. But they are some fair ones, Clem David is a fair talk show host, at least that's what I think. But their role is to keep us up to date with information, get certain issues out in the open.'

Elroy Narine - security guard: 'I personally think they have a very useful role to play in society. They give you the things you might not have picked up on the radio station or the news. They inform the public. They give us a clear view of events taking place. I don't think they are dangerous, they are just doing their part in the media.'