The role of press freedom in strengthening democracy ahead of national elections

Dear editor,
As we celebrate and extend congratulations to four outstanding media workers: Gordon Moseley, Michella Abraham-Ali, Michael Jordan, and Paul Vanvield, recognized with the Guyana Press Association’s (GPA’s) lifetime achievement award, it must be recognized that their significant contributions were fittingly recognized on World Press Freedom Day.
The recognition has also served as a timely reminder of the fundamental role a free and independent press plays in upholding democracy, particularly as Guyana prepares to go to the polls in the coming months. The media, as the “Fourth Estate”, serves not only as a watchdog over public institutions, but also as a bridge between the government and the governed, and this is especially crucial during an election period.
In democratic societies, the press is essential for ensuring transparency and accountability, promoting informed civic participation, and safeguarding the principles of good governance. Through its reporting, the media enables citizens to access balanced, factual, and timely information, thereby empowering them to make informed decisions, including the most consequential in a democracy: electing their government.
Fellow Guyanese, as we prepare to exercise our democratic right to vote, it becomes even more important that the media be able to operate without fear, favour, or interference. A free and independent press is central to fostering meaningful public dialogue, examining policy proposals, scrutinizing political platforms, and facilitating fair and fact-based debates.
Information disseminated through the media must allow all voices, especially those of the marginalized and under-represented, to be heard. In this regard, the Government has a pivotal role to play in facilitating and promoting press freedom. Rather than being viewed as adversarial, the media should be recognized as a partner in the democratic process. The state’s support in providing access to public information, ensuring the physical and legal safety of journalists, and refraining from censorship or undue influence is critical in shaping an electoral environment that is open, fair, and credible.
The responsibility of the media during this electoral season is profound. Journalists must be free to investigate, ask difficult questions, and report on electoral activities without the threat of intimidation or restriction. At the same time, media houses must commit to upholding the highest standards of integrity and impartiality, ensuring their coverage serves the public interest and contributes to a peaceful, informed, and democratic process.
Moreover, it is important to have the Government’s commitment to transparency and respect for press freedom during this period, for it would send a strong signal, not only to the citizens of our country, but also to the international community, that the country remains steadfast in its democratic principles. Such a posture would help to build public trust and solidly reinforce the legitimacy of the electoral process.
As we approach this critical juncture in our nation’s democratic journey, it is imperative that all stakeholders – including Government institutions, political parties, civil society, and the media – work together to ensure that the environment is conducive to free expression and free choice. Only in a space where the media can operate independently and citizens are well-informed can true democracy flourish.
Finally, as we prepare and condition our minds to choose the next Government, let us collectively recognize that a free and independent press is not a threat, but a cornerstone of democracy.
By safeguarding press freedom, we lay the groundwork for transparency, accountability, and a political process that reflects the will of the people, ultimately making the nation stronger, more inclusive, and more resilient.

Yours sincerely,
Hon Jermaine
Figueira, MP