Dear Editor,
Freedom of the press is very important for transparent, accountable governance. Fair, balanced news coverage and editorials as well as allowing a variety of views are also critical in responsible journalism. I commend your paper for meeting both criteria. That is why it is considered among the most read in the country and in the diaspora. Criticism of your paper from a discredited columnist does not deter readership of KN.
Guyanese are found globally in countless countries. I traveled globally where Guyanese reside and or are found (temporarily), engaging and writing about them as I also have been doing about the Caribbean and Indian diasporas— in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, India, North America, UK, the Caribbean, Brazil, etc. (My heart goes out to the families and the victims of the massacre in Bindu Beach; what a magnificent beach that I visited twice in multiple trips to Australia). Guyanese I encountered or engaged praised your publication for its objectivity and for keeping them informed about their homeland—carrying views critical of and praising the government and opposition as well as those that are objective or middle of the road views. You have recently had some fantastic editorials. Almost everyone who reads the papers is familiar with my name having been appearing in the mass media since the early 1980s in USA and from 1976 in Guyana during the students protest.
They engaged me freely in confidence knowing they will not be betrayed. I notice also that letters or commentaries in support of or critical of Exxon were also given press. Even those who are critical of your paper and its owner or publisher Mr. Glen Lall praise the paper, and those who are propagandists (in support of government or opposition) also applaud your paper in private for its objectivity and balance. The paper also carried views critical of it. And then there are sour grapes critics and arm chair columnists who find nothing positive about the paper or publisher because their biased, uninformed views and attacks on others are not published.
One discredited columnist unjustifiably and constantly attacks Glenn with diatribes and calumnies. Everywhere I traveled, people indicated they read my contributions (though not always in agreement) as well as those of GHK, Chris Ram, Ravi Dev, Keith Bernard, among others. They like the outpouring of Walter Persaud, Tara Singh, Ubraj Narine, Nikhil Sankar, among others. They are not always in agreement with views expressed, but they find the contributions informative, educational, and enlightening.
These writers don’t attack people or government or opposition. They write objectively and analytically with supporting evidence unlike those who sing for their money and lack credibility. Countless articles of mine were published and many also rejected. Everyone I met expressed appreciation for my historical factual pieces on the struggle for free and fair elections and on activities of the diaspora in USA and other countries. People don’t pay heed to the attacks of your paper from the discredited columnist.
Thank you for your open press and responsible journalism!