Dear Editor,
Following the public announcement of the closure of Stabroek News, there have been moving tributes to the institution that is this newspaper. Among them are those of former journalists, Annan Boodram and Andre Haynes.
Haynes reflected, “At some point I settled on the idea of Stabroek News as a public service. It’s been the newspaper of record. And a watchdog for public accountability. And, perhaps most importantly, it’s been a space for civic discourse about our national development, often giving a voice to the voiceless. Has it fulfilled these roles perfectly? No but not for a lack of trying.
“To give credit where it is due: I have never met anyone with the work ethic of Anand Persaud and an unwavering commitment towards ensuring public accountability and transparency. I may not have always agreed with him but I rarely ever doubted his motivation.”
I unreservedly echo two of Andre’s statements. Guyana’s only newspaper of record is the Stabroek News. Wikipedia’s entry on ‘Newspaper of record’ begins, ‘A newspaper of record is a major national newspaper with large circulation whose editorial and news-gathering functions are considered authoritative and independent; they are thus “newspapers of record by reputation” and include some of the oldest and most widely respected newspapers in the world. The number and trend of “newspapers of record by reputation” is related to the state of press freedom and political freedom in a country.’
Our country is already shaken to its very foundations by the knowledge that come the Ides of March, it will be unmoored from any institution of trust. The few institutions that Guyanese had come to trust are being taken over and destroyed by the Executive arm of this PPP-led government. All except Stabroek News. Minus the Stabroek News, there is a gaping hole, an empty void, in respect of the following and more – a reliable source of local and regional news compiled by a small team of local reporters; erudite and reasoned editorials; moderated columns for bloggers; feature columns on a wide range of topics by leading experts; a vigorous letters page; sports reporting; and windows on the world beyond the Caribbean; public notices and advertisements whose changing nature itself documents the evolution of commercial Guyana – all very good value for an online subscription of only Canadian $128 per year. And a Sunday supplement including material to supplement school education. Stabroek News has consistently punched above its weight, tirelessly advocating for a democratic and compassionate Guyana.
Secondly, over the years I’ve said to many persons that I hold Anand Persaud to be the most consequential Guyanese of the late 20th and current century. His combination of work ethic, high moral compass, a balanced approach to the role of journalism in a developing country, and brilliance are unsurpassed. Anand will continue to shine in a world without SN, but Guyana will not.
Since the news broke on Friday, I have been in deep mourning, selfishly for myself, but also for our country. We will lose not only our newspaper of record, but the only institution that encompasses our aspirations to fulfil our national motto: ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’.