Unreasonable accusation
Guyana Chronicle
January 17, 2007
IT IS very clear, I think, that the Stabroek News is trying to use the reduction of government advertisements to its newspaper as an excuse to blame the administration for being motivated by political considerations.
The accusation is unreasonable and without any real foundation, as the administration points out that commercial consideration forms the basis of its placement of advertisements, where they can get the widest possible coverage and readership, according to the distribution of the newspapers.
This government is widely known for its commitment to the principles and practice of democracy to which, as we can see, it adheres.
For the Stabroek News to claim that it is not receiving as many advertisements, as before, because of political reasons is false, for although many of their editorials and coverage of news and events in the past have been clearly motivated by their dislike of and antagonism to the present government, they still continued to receive advertisements, and they had made no such similar complaints.
We can therefore well believe that as their bottom line suffers from reducing circulation and consequently revenues, they are seeking out a convenient scapegoat.
However, the government in its established prudent fiscal management must ensure that its gets value for money, the widest coverage for its advertising dollar, as any good business does.
LEILA RAM