HGP Nightly News – The Ethnic Relations Commission has issued 151 cautionary statements to social media users so far this year, as it continues to monitor online content for racial hostility, intolerance and divisive public commentary.
In its May 2026 public update, the ERC said its Media Monitoring Unit remained active across traditional and social media platforms, identifying statements that could incite racial hostility, ethnic intolerance or social division.
According to the Commission, stand-alone racial and ethnic slurs remained the highest category of infractions recorded so far this year, accounting for 41 incidents. Intolerant, prejudicial and insensitive statements collectively accounted for 35 infractions.
For the period April 24 to May 22 alone, the ERC recorded eight racial slurs, eight racially insensitive or prejudicial statements, five xenophobic statements, one racially stereotypical statement, two racially divisive statements and three racially derogatory comments.
The Commission is urging citizens to exercise responsibility, respect and restraint when engaging on social media and other public platforms.
The warning comes as the ERC continues a wider programme of national outreach, public education, monitoring and investigation, with its May activities tied closely to Guyana’s 60th Independence Anniversary and the broader goal of strengthening social cohesion.
Through its Public Education and Awareness Unit, the Commission intensified engagement with young people and the public through national competitions, cultural activities, social media campaigns and stakeholder partnerships.
One of the month’s major activities was the ERC’s Awards Ceremony for its National Poetry, Song and Social Media Competitions, held on May 23 at the Seawall Bandstand under the theme “Celebrating 60 Years of Heritage, Reflection and Respect.”
The Commission said the initiative gave students and young Guyanese a platform to express ideas about patriotism, unity, diversity and national identity through poetry, music and digital storytelling.
The ERC was also represented at the Guyana Festival Expo 2026 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, where staff engaged hundreds of patrons, distributed information materials and promoted awareness of the Commission’s constitutional mandate.
Short films promoting unity, tolerance, diversity and mutual respect were also screened during the festival.
The Commission also facilitated Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training for the management team of Excel Guyana Inc., focusing on inclusive workplace practices, respectful engagement, unconscious bias and the ERC’s role in promoting harmony among Guyanese.
On the investigative side, the ERC reported a consolidated caseload of 83 matters covering the period 2022 to 2026. Of those, 23 matters are pending Sub-Committee review, 17 are under investigation, five remain pending, three are pending legal advice and two are at the conciliation stage.
The Commission said 33 matters have reached finalised or closure-oriented outcomes, including 24 closed matters, six completed matters and three withdrawn matters.
The May update places the ERC’s work in two clear areas: promoting unity through outreach and education, while also responding to online and public conduct that threatens social cohesion.
