ADDRESS OF HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT BHARRAT JAGDEO AT THE SIGNING OF THE DECLARATION OF CHAPULTEPEC
STATE HOUSE - MAY 24, 2002
ADDRESS OF HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT BHARRAT JAGDEO AT THE SIGNING OF THE DECLARATION
OF CHAPULTEPEC
STATE HOUSE - MAY 24, 2002
Mr. Master of Ceremonies,
Let me extend a warm welcome to all those present today and especially to the
members of the media who are here not only as part of their detail but also
as witnesses to the signing of a declaration which is of much importance to
the media.
A special welcome is extended to Mr. Ricardo Trotti, Coordinator of the Committee
on Freedom of the Press and Information, and Mr. Sean Casey, Project Coordinator
of the Inter-American Press Association (IAPA). The I.A.P.A has been the prime
mover behind the declaration and I would like to congratulate the organization
for their unstinting efforts in committing governments in our hemisphere to
the document. I would also like to thank both of the respected gentlemen for
their presence here today and I wish to communicate my government’s highest
regard for the Inter American Press Association and especially its work in the
promotion of press freedom and fostering high standards within the media. It
is critical that press associations, both locally and internationally, continue
to monitor and promote respect for the sacred right to freedom of expression,
as well as encourage the elevation of standards within the information sector.
The PPP/C has always been committed to press freedom in Guyana, a right for
which we have struggled over the years and one that we will continue to defend.
All of you here are aware of the long and bitter campaign for freedom of expression
in our country, including the struggle to obtain permission to import newsprint
into the country. This right did not come easily but was won through years of
agitation. I therefore think it is appropriate and fitting for us at this time
to pay tribute to all those who we part of this struggle. Names that readily
come to mind are Hubert Williams, Rick Mentis, Fr. Harold Wong, Fr Andrew Morrison,
Fr Bernard Darke, Mike James, Rickey Singh, Janet Jagan, Moses Nagamootoo, Eusi
Kwayana and Moses Bhagwan. Solidarity and support were also lent by a host of
media associations both local and foreign.
Precisely because of our historical experience, you will appreciate the added
importance of today’s endorsement of the Declaration of Chapultepec. Not
only does it officially signal our strongest commitment to the principles contained
therein, but I am certain it will be source of assurance for our local media
operatives that they have nothing to fear from this administration.
Most of the reservations and concerns within the local media spring from this
historical experience of mistrust of governments. However, I want to say emphatically
that my government has never and will never seek to victimize, punish or in
any way target media organizations simply because they do not share the government’s
view on an issue.
Ten years ago, the PPP/C government set out on the path to create a democratic
society where respect for fundamental rights was not only enshrined in the constitution
but given tangible expression. Our record on press freedom speaks for itself.
The media has burst forth like a flower opening its petals to the inviting rays
of the sun. A large number of media houses mushroomed, something that never
could have happened in a restricted media environment.
Sadly, this rapid growth has corresponded with ever growing concerns about sections
of the media, which continue to incite and spread division and hatred in our
country. This is not the view of government alone; similar sentiments have been
expressed by the private print media and by media independent monitoring committees.
I am particularly happy about the assurance from the Inter- American Press Association
that this Declaration does not “believes that not all speech is protected,”
especially those that are “racially inflammatory.”
A free and independent media is an integral part of a free, open and democratic
society. My government respects the right to freedom of expression as an inalienable
right as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United
Nations and recalled in the first principle of the Chapultepec Declaration.
In the exercise of this responsibility, journalists are expected to be to truthful,
fair, accurate and objective. Importantly, along with ensuring compliance by
Governments, I wish to challenge Inter- American Press Association and similar
organizations to craft a code of conduct to which media owners and practitioners
can subscribe to ensure responsibility and fairness. And when there are violations,
these must be exposed.
My administration has never and will never seek to exercise censorship on members
of the media, nor will ever the day return when media houses will be denied
the right to secure equipment and supplies.
The signing of the declaration today can be seen as a mechanism of government
holding itself accountable for the respect of press freedom.
It is with these brief remarks that I express my pleasure in signing the Declaration
of Chapultepec and hopes that it will be a standard by which we can judge press
freedom in our country.
I thank you!
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