Reporters Without Borders (RSF), an international non-profit democracy organisation, has described the tenure of Guyana’s President, Dr Irfaan Ali, as marred by hostility towards the news media.
The body in its latest report is calling on the Ali administration to make press freedom a priority during his renewed five-year mandate.
RSF has issued three policy recommendations to help the government reset its relationship with the media.
They are as follows : end political hostility towards journalists; codify rules to ensure impartiality in government advertising, preventing it from being used to favour certain media outlets; and provide transparent and timely access to the entire press corps.
The body noted that while Guyana ranks 73rd in the 2025 RSF World Press Freedom Index, its political indicator stands at 111th, largely due to the oversized influence the government exerts on the media.
The organisation also cited recent findings of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM), which stated: “The undue advantages of incumbency contributed to an uneven playing field. The media landscape was strongly politicised, giving voters fewer opportunities to access diverse perspectives. The digital space was dynamic but often hostile, with manipulative content spread by partisan actors.”
RSF further highlighted that Guyana’s president directly appoints members of the Guyana National Broadcast Authority, a practice that undermines media independence as presidential allies on the board have the power to revoke broadcast licences.
“Journalists in Guyana say they feel it in their jobs, with the government selectively granting interviews and advertising opportunities to favoured media outlets. Public officials, including President Ali, insult journalists, and politicians resort to defamation lawsuits to silence members of the media,” RSF said.
It recalled that Leroy Smith of Big Smith News Watch was threatened with sedition charges and targeted by a multi-million-dollar defamation lawsuit in October 2024. The case was filed by the Assistant Commissioner of Police and Head of the Special Organised Crime Unit following Smith’s report on alleged misconduct.
RSF also noted that harassment by government supporters is commonly reported by Guyanese journalists.
The body acknowledged comments made by President Ali in his inaugural address as positive but stressed that they must be followed up with concrete action. In that address, Ali stated: “We recognise and respect the essential watchdog role of the media, and we will ensure greater transparency by instituting mechanisms in every ministry and department that provide the facts in a timely way.”
Clayton Weimers, Executive Director of RSF North America, remarked: “Open hostility from the government towards the media has become a regrettable norm in Guyana. This culture of antagonism is directly holding Guyana back on the World Press Freedom Index. It doesn’t need to be this way.”
Weimers said this election is an excellent opportunity for a reset. “RSF calls for President Ali’s administration to help foster a more pluralistic media landscape, provide transparent and timely access to the entire press corps, and treat journalists with respect. The free press must always be an essential part of Guyana’s democracy, and RSF stands ready to help facilitate a healthier relationship between the government and the media.”
