World Press Freedom Day: Pres Ali urges media to be responsible as Guyana heads deeper into election season

– Guyana Times EIC, other media veterans recognised for contributions to local media

As Guyana heads deeper into the 2025 election season, and on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, President Dr Irfaan Ali had an important message for the local media fraternity, urging them to be responsible and ethical in what is an especially important and sensitive year.
Saturday, May 3, marked World Press Freedom Day, with the local media fraternity hosted at a brunch at State House under the theme ‘Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media’.
During the proceedings, which also featured the inaugural Excellence in Media awards, President Ali lauded the contributions made by the local media.
But with 2025 being an election year, he also had an important message to the local media: to be responsible and ethical in their reporting, lest misinformation spark unrest.
A prevalent theme during last week’s unrest surrounding the death of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge, in tragic circumstances at the now gutted Tuschen Double Day hotel, had been the potential for misinformation to ignite unrest.
“To our local media, I extend my heartfelt best wishes on this important day. You play an important role in shaping public opinion, guiding public discussions and holding power accountable,” the President said.

President Ali also urged the general population to be responsible consumers of information put out by the media. He reminded that “this is an important year. I expect you to report fairly, honestly, openly, on our elections. Very important.”
Meanwhile, a number of media workers were honoured for their contributions to Guyana’s media fraternity and freedom of expression. They included Guyana Times/Evening News Editor-in- Chief (EIC), Tusika Martin, who was one of three recipients of the excellence in media awards.
In her acceptance speech, the media veteran expressed thanks for the award and noted the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI), not as a shortcut, but as a way of bolstering media work.
“This year’s theme: “Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media”—calls on us to engage with AI, not as a shortcut, but as a tool to enhance our craft, always vigilant in preserving the core freedoms that define our work,” Martin said.
“As Guyana surges forward in its rapidly evolving economy, let us reaffirm the essential partnership between Government and the media—one built on trust and mutual respect, in service of the greater good,” she added.
The other two recipients were well known broadcaster Merano Issacs, and studio operator, Zenella Marks. Veteran broadcaster, Ron Robinson, received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
In his remarks, Robinson reflected on some of the highlights of his six-decade long career, including the famous people he met that ran the gamut from Presidents and Ministers, to famous singer/songwriter Stevie Wonder and even (on the more infamous front) Jim Jones.
“The sixty years have included interviewing (many people). And there is one person I can never forget. And he was the chief grave digger at Le Repentir Cemetery, believe it or not, who was known as Bishop Brown,” Robinson said, sharing an anecdote from his career.
“Because, as he told me, he knew the prayers for all the religions and would recite them if the official did not turn up for the funeral. But what made him even more memorable, was when he told me that he was not the Chief Grave Digger, but the Supervisor of Burial Engineers.”
The media, also known as the ‘Third Estate’, plays a pivotal role in society, by disseminating facts for public consumption and helping citizens stay informed, establish opinions, make informed choices, and participate meaningfully in society. The availability of facts and information is fundamental to exercising such rights as access to health, education, justice, and to fighting against gender and economic inequalities.
This year marks the 32nd anniversary of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly’s decision proclaiming May 3 as the International Day for Press Freedom.
The theme of World Press Freedom Day 2025 is focused on the proliferation of AI systems, which has undoubtedly played a transformative role in journalism and the media, as well as digital communications more broadly.