Dear Editor,
The closure of the truly independent SN creates a significant and dangerous void as it will lead to a decline in information and on public (civic) engagement and participation in governance; the other media outlets can’t meet the demands of the public on news reporting. SN has been unique in providing media coverage of events at national, regional, and local levels. Inevitably, there will be an information vacuum in news reporting and expressing viewpoints on contemporary issues.
The closure necessarily impacts on awareness of community events and civic engagement as well as a decline in political (government and opposition) as well as business (and public) accountability. The void will affect reporting on local happenings, NDCs, city councils, NGOs, public officials, government projects, community events, etc., leading to reduc-ed transparency and scrutiny of all entities.
To fill this void, a new digital online publication is being conceived by a group of individuals concerned about a decline in media accessibility especially unbiased community reporting and expressing valid, objective commentaries. The digital publication is attempting to fill the void caused by the closure of SN. The goal is an independent publication (not pro- or anti- government) with the objective of presenting factual reporting of news and public viewpoints (in digital print and in videos).
The digital publication will also be open to news from the diaspora. Contributors are invited to make submissions of news items and viewpoints (letters) in written form and in short videos to:
voiceofguyanaamericatrinidad@gmail.com