President should hold regular press conferences-GPA

The group Polish Mothers on Tree Stumps breastfeed their babies on recently felled trees around Krakow to protest the law change. (Photo: Theguardian.com) It has been more than a year since Head of State David Granger has held a press conference outside of the fortnightly televised ‘Public Interest’ which is a program moderated and produced by the Ministry of Presidency.

When the Head of State was questioned on the issue he said he is always accessible to the media. Whenever he attends any function he is always willing to answer questions that the media might have, he said. President of the Guyana Press Association (GPA), Neil Marks, said that although the president has been accessible to the media at functions it is the consensus among media operatives that the Head of State should hold regular press conferences. The President’s Communications Director, Mark Archer, said that all questions in relation to the lack of press conferences by the Head of State should be directed to the president. Archer added that he was unable to speak on the issue. So too said the Head of the Department of Public (DPI) Information, Imran Khan. Former Attorney General and People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) member Anil Nandlall believes that the president has a duty to meet with the press on a regular basis. Nandlall believes that the fortnightly ‘Public Interest’ that features the president can in no way suffice for meeting with the wider press corps. “The fortnightly TV Programme ‘Public Interest’, where the journalists are obviously chosen and instructed what questions to ask, is not and cannot be a substitute.”

(Kaieteurnews.com)