President Ali announces scholarship for local journalists

President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali delivers his address at the Presidential Media Brunch hosted in the Baridi Benab on Sunday.

-at annual Presidential media brunch

His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has said his Government would be offering courses in mass communication, journalism and marketing in its scholarship programme, that will be available to journalists.

The Head of State made the announcement in his welcome remarks to members of the media fraternity at the annual Presidential media brunch held in the Baridi Benab at State House on Sunday.

President Ali said his administration is open to constructive criticism and sharing in the responsibility for the country’s advancement. He said the press also has a mandate to promote the country’s developmental agenda.

“I believe that in a free and open society, every view has a value and every view must be expressed freely, but in expressing those views, there comes responsibility also.”

Dr. Ali said while everyone is concerned about Guyana’s development, the media, in the exercise of its freedom, should also understand the important areas that will move the country forward.

These include national unity, the engagement of the diaspora and others.

“These are all critical areas that we can work on and find a common agenda on which we can build a national strategy in which the government and media can work together in helping a national cause,” the President said.

President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali interacts with President of the Guyana Press Association, Ms. Nazima Raghubir during the Presidential Media Brunch hosted on Sunday.

He noted that the media can play a critical role in fostering togetherness that “erases the level of hate sometimes that we see on social media, that all of us speak out against so we all have a common agenda against those who try to divide our society, those who try to push hate in our society.”

The President said his Government will continue to engage the media, noting that it is important that the local press understands the development shift taking place in the country.

Meanwhile, President of the Guyana Press Association, Ms. Nazima Raghubir recommitted the press association’s advocacy for free and independent press and the rights of media workers.

“The GPA is always striving to set a high standard for the media in this country. This is the reason we ensure we have rigid training schedule annually. While most of the training for this year have been held virtually, we have been able to touch on a number of key areas, including continued training on reporting on sexual offences, understanding and reporting on the judicial system and a sensitisation session on the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy.”

Ms. Raghubir requested assistance from the Government to facilitate visits to border locations. This she said, will provide the media with a better understanding of those areas on which they often report.