The practice of journalism has grown incrementally over the past two years, increasing human resource and different voices in the media fraternity.
This is according to Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with Responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy.
According to McCoy, the Guyana Government is commitment to investing in the field of journalism, through the provision of training and ramping up of human resources.
He explained that the administration’s efforts are aimed at bridging the many skills and learning gaps that must be quickly addressed that allow practitioners and the fraternity as a whole to grow and flourish hand in hand with the country.
This, McCoy added, also coincide with efforts to provide the opportunity for youths eager to join the field.
Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy
“I have seen very conscious efforts by our young journalists trying to be on the right track, going after information aggressively. In this government I say without any contradiction, you have one of the most accessible Cabinet in the history of this country where anyone of us can be approached… And I would like to see our journalist take more advantage of that,” McCoy said.
Further, he acknowledged the challenges journalists encounter in seeking and disseminating information on contemporary issues, such as supply-chain problems, climate migration, and politics.
According to him, journalists exercise their right to practice freely without fear or favour, and advocate for the visibility of many issues, since they’re crucial for promoting peace and democratic values worldwide.
He lamented that, while media plays a pivotal role in society, by disseminating facts for public consumption and helping citizens in Guyana stay informed, establish opinions, make informed choices, and participate meaningfully in society, there is much to be done as it regards to upholding international media standards.
“We still have work to do in respect of many things as a people and as those who are practitioners in the media to always be mindful that there are universal principles and ethnics that we must aspire to reach and to be able to sustain and maintain in ways that we become a model for the world and we’re admired for the things that we do and the way that we operate,” he added.
Media Academy
In observance of World Press Freedom Day 2022, the Guyana Government launched the country’s first Media and Communications Academy which aims to empower and further professionalise local media workers.
The launch was done at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) during a national conference and symposium organised by the Guyana Government to commemorate the day which was observed under the theme “Journalism under Digital Siege”.
Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs Kwame McCoy told media practitioners at the time that every single Guyanese media practitioner including those in the diaspora will have access to the courses offered by the academy. Moreover, he noted that the classes will be paid for by the Government. (G1)
