STABROEK NEWS’ CLOSURE IS GOVERNMENT’S ATTEMPT TO SUPPRESS INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM, NOT BUSINESS CHALLENGES SAYS THE PNCR

By| Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News |

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — The impending closure of Stabroek News, a cornerstone of Guyanese independent journalism since 1986, has ignited a fierce political firestorm. On Wednesday, March 4, 2026, Sherwin Benjamin, General Secretary of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), characterized the newspaper’s demise as a calculated assault on democracy and a “clear sign of authoritarianism” by the ruling PPP/C administration.

While the global print industry has struggled with the digital transition, Benjamin argues that the end of this 40-year-old institution is a man-made crisis fueled by state-sponsored economic warfare.

Allegations of “Economic Strangulation”

Benjamin pushed back against the narrative that Stabroek News is simply a victim of the “digital age.” He outlined a series of strategic moves he claims were designed to bankrupt the outlet:

• Withholding Advertisements: The General Secretary alleged that the government owes the newspaper over $80 million in unpaid advertisements. He characterized the withholding of state ads as a “financial chokehold” used to punish critical coverage.
• Radio License Denials: Benjamin pointed to the state’s repeated refusal to grant the entity radio licenses, which prevented the company from diversifying its revenue streams as other regional media houses have.
• Selective Support: The PNCR contends that while independent media is being “strangled,” state-aligned outlets continue to receive significant government patronage.

A Contrast in Eras: Hoyte vs. Present

The PNCR used the occasion to contrast the current media climate with the era of its founder, the late President Desmond Hoyte.

• The 1986 Precedent: Stabroek News was founded in 1986 during a period of democratic opening under the Hoyte administration. Benjamin noted that even when the PNC disagreed with the paper’s reporting, the government of the day respected its right to exist.
• Democratic Backsliding: “The current regime has reversed this tradition,” Benjamin stated, accusing the PPP/C of seeking to “quash dissenting voices” rather than engaging in the healthy friction of a free press.

The “Silent” Guardrail of Democracy

Benjamin emphasized that Stabroek News has served as a vital guardrail for Guyanese democracy for four decades, providing a platform for voices that might otherwise be ignored.

“The closure is not a simple business decision but a government attempt to suppress independent journalism and undermine democratic principles in Guyana.” — Sherwin Benjamin, PNCR General Secretary

The PNCR-APNU coalition has pledged to collaborate with civil society to safeguard what remains of the independent media landscape, warning that the loss of Stabroek News leaves a “dangerous vacuum” in national accountability.

Stabroek News: A Legacy in Print