GENERAL SECRETARY of the People’s Progressive Party, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, recently signalled that he was thinking about having his press conference twice weekly. He expressed the view that it may have to be shorter and more concise. Dr. Jagdeo even said that this move could allow him a much quicker response time to many of the narratives and misinformation that are swirling around the media, particularly social media.
Firstly, this intended change would be most welcomed by the Guyanese public. It’s no secret that the PPP’s press conference is viewed in real-time by hundreds, if not thousands of Guyanese at home and abroad. It is no secret also that a large portion of non-Guyanese flock to the internet, radio and television to catch a glimpse of the press conferences. It has become a masterclass in politics and policy, and there are many lessons on how a ruling party can reply effectively to an inept and crookish opposition.
So, it would be a pleasure to the minds of countless persons for the press conference to be done twice weekly. Perhaps, it could be done on Mondays and Thursdays, especially as the election draws closer this year.
The fact that Guyanese would get to hear another side of the political divide with immediacy is also welcomed now more than ever. So, the idea of having the shorter and more concise approach is welcomed too.
Secondly, let’s make it clear that the PPP, like any other party, has a duty to every member and supporter to fight against the wave of alternative facts and lies that are spread about the party, politicians, and its supporters. The PPP must respond to the many damaging things that are deliberately placed in the public domain that could see the party’s image suffering from irreparable harm.
The press conference serves this purpose already. It is managing the big lies that are being told by the PNC, APNU, AFC, WPA and other opposition parties but it cannot do it alone. Dr. Jagdeo cannot carry on this fight alone.
And so, the other PPP leaders of party groups and clusters must fight back against this growing media culture to paint everything that the PPP does as corrupt, racist, lacking transparency and accountability. They must develop the testicular ability to answer the critics of the party with the same force, but must use truth and facts that are readily available to them when they are defending the PPP.
They cannot be complacent and must not be afraid of confronting these bullies big and small in any part of their community and country. The PPP must take up a social media presence and its membership must understand that they are fighting this social media evil that threatens the bedrock of the PPP’s future. While President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Dr. Jagdeo, Ministers and leaders are fighting against this growing threat of misinformation and opposition lies, the PPP membership must raise their voices at the community and other levels when the opposition comes to them and they will come bearing false promises and telling lies.
Thirdly, the PPP should not throw a punch and hide its hand just because it is the government. No, that is cowardly. That is how they must tackle this problem with the fake news media and misinformation. They must stand strong and fight back fairly. This is the only way that the cowards and PPP haters will get the message. They must know that the PPP has real faces and real people who are not afraid of standing to the front and saying all the right things in a way or language that the opposition would understand.
Finally, this fight is not for the faint of heart. This fight is for all right-thinking PPP members, supporters, and Guyanese who believe that the PPP must set the record straight in the face of the opposition’s misinformation, lies and misrepresentation of various issues. The PNC/R and AFC are bombarding the PPP every chance they get using the traditional media and now social media. They are even recruiting paid actors to institute chaos and confusion at various events, stirring up trouble across the country. They are using the social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram to attack the PPP party and influence the public. They are changing the narratives each day by releasing highly and negatively skewed information and lies about the PPP.
So, respond with pen and mouth accordingly. Dismantle the arguments and put them to shame. Present empirical evidence and data. They do not like it when a person is armed with the truth and facts. Normalise the writing of letters to the editors and avail yourselves at events to form part of the public and vox populi.
The party must ramp up their information campaign to deal with this new onslaught of new media and the traditional media. They must monitor the media and the gatekeepers that have to look out for the public’s interest. The PPP has to train the influx of recruits in politics, political ideology and economic policies of the PPP. They must be encouraged to read and understand information, deciphering the hidden political overtones. The PPP must encourage their members to proudly champion its causes, policies and developmental work on the social media platforms as influencers and rising stars. This approach will make their lives easier, closer to elections
As it is, the party must find a social media Zar who can steer the constant misinformation away from the public and combat the use of media to only paint the PPP as bad for Guyana.