HGP Nightly News – The Guyana Press Association (GPA) has issued a sharp warning that the space for open questioning and public accountability is narrowing, accusing the government of moving toward what it described as creeping information control through increasingly managed media engagements.
In its New Year’s message released on Friday, the GPA pointed to what it called the rise of highly controlled “pseudo press conferences,” highlighting the most recent engagement hosted by President Irfaan Ali on December 30 as a prominent example. According to the association, journalists are now being forced to rethink how they access information in an environment where the outward appearance of press access masks tightly curated messaging.
The GPA argued that journalism is being weakened by events that are choreographed to limit scrutiny, claiming that follow-up questions are either discouraged or outright blocked. It said the December 30 engagement featured what it described as a panel of pro-government questioners posing “likeable” questions, an approach the association contends is designed to minimise accountability rather than test policy under pressure.
In the association’s view, such managed formats cannot substitute for open, unrestricted press conferences where journalists can interrogate a full range of issues, demand clarity, and press for answers when responses are incomplete.
The GPA also lamented what it described as the disappearance of weekly post-Cabinet press briefings, which it said were once a regular feature under the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). The association called that shift a serious setback for transparency and the public’s right to timely information about government decision-making.
Beyond government communications, the GPA raised concerns about what it described as growing non-responsiveness within the Guyana Police Force, alleging that senior police officials are increasingly avoiding media queries, reducing public accountability around policing and public safety.
The association challenged the government to demonstrate genuine commitment to openness by ensuring the Access to Information mechanism functions effectively. It also warned against potential moves, including possible regulation of social media, that could further narrow the space for free expression and public debate.
Despite its concerns, the GPA said it intends to continue pushing for openness, expanding training initiatives, and promoting media literacy, stressing that strong journalism remains central to democracy and to the public’s access to accurate and balanced information.
