Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo’s remarks regarding the timeline and distribution process for the $200,000 cash grant initiative have been misrepresented by Kaieteur News, which has once again reported misleading and fake information.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali announced that the cash grant is part of a broader government strategy to improve the quality of life for citizens, injecting $60 billion of new disposable income into households across the country. This initiative aims to provide immediate relief and highlights the government’s proactive measures to address the economic needs of all Guyanese households.
In a recent interview, Vice-President Dr Jagdeo elaborated on the initiative, emphasizing the necessity of establishing a robust system to ensure the proper and equitable distribution of funds. He noted that while the government is working expeditiously, large-scale initiatives require careful planning to avoid potential mishaps.
“We want to get the system in place. So, I anticipate we would complete the distribution process within the next five months,” Dr Jagdeo explained. This timeline is crucial for ensuring that every eligible household receives the grant without the risk of fraud or systemic flaws.
The Vice-President clarified that although the distribution process might take up to five months, efforts are underway to expedite completion. He stressed the meticulous nature of the exercise to safeguard taxpayers’ money and prevent system abuse, ensuring no household is left out.
Contrary to these clear statements, Kaieteur News misreported that the government would not be ready to distribute the grant before Christmas, even falsely quoting Dr Jagdeo, saying, “In five months’ time, we will be ready to distribute.” This distortion is misleading and appears to be an attempt to create uncertainty.
Dr Jagdeo outlined that the maximum period for the process might take up to five months but assured us that all households would receive the grant in due course. “So, it will take about, the whole exercise should take, on the outside– it could happen faster– but on the outer limit, it will take about five months. But everyone will get it. It’s not as though they wouldn’t get it, but we have to do it properly and that is what we are trying to devise a system so that every eligible household can get it and that they are not left out because of a flawed system,” he said.
He further explained that the Audit Office would play a central role in verifying the distribution to ensure accountability and that a dedicated team would oversee the process. “We’d have to put in place in finance [Ministry of Finance], a team that is dedicated towards this, to the verification and payment of the resources. The bulk of the payment will happen by cheques except for the hinterland where another method might be used,” Jagdeo added.
It is evident that Kaieteur News’ report was inaccurate and irresponsible, undermining the government’s commitment to transparency and efficiency in implementing this vital initiative. The publication previously had to apologize to the government and GPL for false reporting and has faced scrutiny from Dr Jagdeo for its frequent distortions of facts.
The Decline of Traditional Newspapers in Guyana
In recent years, the landscape of news consumption in Guyana has undergone a profound transformation. With the rise of social media platforms, the public’s interest in traditional news outlets, such as Kaieteur News and other newspapers, has significantly diminished. This shift raises essential questions about representation, democracy, and the future of journalism in the country. The public is no longer interested in Kaieteur’s fake news. No one, except a few politicians, takes Glenn Lall’s Kaieteur news seriously.
All newspapers combined sell fewer than 19,000 copies daily in a nation of approximately 850,000 Guyanese. This stark statistic reveals a troubling disconnect: how can such limited circulation adequately represent a mere fraction of the population? The traditional model of newspapers as the primary source of information is faltering, and this decline poses challenges to democratic engagement and informed citizenship.
Many Guyanese have turned to social media for their news, where information is more immediate and often tailored to their interests. Platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have become key sources of information, shaping public opinion and facilitating discussions that newspapers once dominated. This transition is not unique to Guyana; it reflects a global trend where digital platforms have eclipsed traditional media.
The implications for newspaper owners and journalists are clear. The dwindling sales figures highlight an urgent need for newspapers to adapt to this new media environment. The challenge lies in retaining relevance and maintaining credibility amidst a sea of information, where fake news can spread just as quickly as genuine news.
Fortunately, the Guyanese public has shown an impressive ability to distinguish between credible information and misinformation. Many are discerning news consumers capable of navigating the complexities of the digital landscape. This awareness should serve as a wake-up call for traditional newspapers. They must evolve their strategies to engage with readers meaningfully, leveraging the strengths of social media while retaining journalistic integrity.
The decline of newspaper circulation in Guyana reflects not merely changing consumer habits but is also a signal for transformation. Newspaper owners, journalists, and editors are responsible for innovating and connecting with the public meaningfully. As Guyanese increasingly turn to social media for news, traditional outlets must rise to the challenge, ensuring they remain relevant and respected in a democracy that thrives on informed discourse. The time for action is now, or these newspapers risk disappearing from the Guyanese scene forever. Fake news will not survive because the Guyanese public will send them packing forever. Glenn Lall should take note.