The question as to why Capitol News cameraman Rudy Morris, along with Amerindian leader Anthony Melville, was detained on Sunday by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) at Muri Muri, Region Eight, still remains unanswered. However, both men were released on Monday, but their cellphones and cameras were confiscated.
Morris is expected to be flown to Georgetown later today and this publication understands that the news agency is exploring its legal options. Morris was part of a four-member press team, who visited the area to get a better understanding of the issues surrounding the ‘militarisation’ of the Kaieteur National Park.
Capitol News cameraman Rudy Morris
On Sunday, Morris accompanied by Melville, the former Toshao, journeyed to Muri Muri to get video footage of the Kaieteur National Park signboard – which is acknowledged as the boundary of the Park. After taking video footage of the signboard, they were venturing out, by boat, when armed soldiers apprehended them.
The boat captain was allowed to leave while the duo was detained and forced to spend the night at the Muri Muri landing. The boat captain returned to the Menzies Landing and informed the group of the arrest. The officer in command said the two men would be brought to Georgetown and be prosecuted for “operating in a militarised zone”.
The arrest was condemned on social media by a wide cross-section of society inclusive of veteran journalists who all questioned the GDF ranks’ authority to make an arrest.
Protected Areas Commission (PAC) Board Member Raquel Thomas-Caesar, in a Facebook post, said that the PAC was unaware of the media presence in the KNP since the entity was not informed they would be in the park to investigate.
Following Thomas-Caesar’s comments, there was outrage over her comments as it related to the functions of the media.
Meanwhile, the Guyana Press Association (GPA) said it was informed that Morris and a group of other journalists received the permission of the National Parks Commission, after paying the required user fee. They have also been assured by the GDF, Morris will be brought to Georgetown this afternoon.
“The reporters were there to cover unfolding events related to a presidential order for the Army, in joint operations with the Police, to enforce the law which prohibits mining within the boundaries of the Kaieteur National Park. On Sunday, Mr Morris, accompanied by Amerindian leader Anthony Melville, a former Toshao, and Chief of Chiefs of the Patamonas, visited the area of Muri Muri, by way of boat, to take videos there, where they were detained. On Monday morning, they were both allowed to leave and return to Kaieteur top. Army officials have assured the GPA that while arrangements are being made to have Mr Morris return to Georgetown, his subsistence and accommodation are guaranteed,” the GPA statement read.
The Press Association added that it would never condone its members violating specific security measures in any area of Guyana when good, sufficient and legal reasons exist for such orders. However, similarly, it stated that it would not stand “idly by and have our freedoms violated”.
The arrest of Morris brings into question the freedom of the press as the fourth estate. Reporters Without Borders (RSF), an entity that campaigns for media freedom and the rights of Journalists, indicated in its 2017 World Press Freedom Index that there have been significant setbacks in Guyana over the past year, although the Constitution guarantees free speech and the right to information. Guyana fell three places on the index. (Lakhram Bhagirat)
