In every healthy democracy, the press is supposed to act as the guardian of truth. Newspapers should keep citizens informed, hold leaders accountable, and give space for diverse voices. When done responsibly, journalism becomes the link between policymakers and the public. Unfortunately, Guyana’s experience shows that not all media outlets fulfill this democratic duty.
Today, instead of strengthening public trust, some newspapers in Guyana actively weaken it. Rather than serving as neutral platforms for discussion, they have become political agitators—attacking democratically elected leaders, dismissing the nation’s economic progress, and deliberately ignoring credible allegations against certain influential individuals. Two outlets, in particular—Stabroek News and Kaieteur News—are accused of consistently failing to uphold even the basic principles of fair and balanced journalism.
Stabroek News: Old Colonial Narratives in a New Wrapper
Stabroek News, reportedly run by a family with ties to London—including a woman whose husband is said to be a former English cricketer—has become a concerning voice in Guyana’s media landscape. The concern isn’t their background but their alleged tendency to promote narratives that mirror colonial tactics of “Divide and Rule.”
Guyana is a proud, multiethnic society with a complex but hopeful national identity. When the country should be coming together around progress and opportunity, Stabroek News seems more focused on sowing suspicion, division, and selective outrage. Instead of promoting growth and harmony, the paper seems to thrive on disunity and negativity.
Kaieteur News: Glenn Lall’s Personal Obsession
Kaieteur News has drifted even further from professional journalism. Its owner, Glenn Lall, seems to use the paper less as a news outlet and more as a weapon against one man—Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, Vice President and Secretary General of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). Nearly every issue is filled with smears and personal attacks, regardless of the topic.
Glenn Lall, who reportedly started as a street vendor selling trousers and T-shirts in Leguan and Wakenaam, has no formal training in journalism, economics, or the oil and gas industry. Yet, he consistently claims to be an expert on all issues of national importance. Humble beginnings are not a crime. However, using a media platform to settle scores instead of providing trustworthy information to the public is an abuse of power.
Their Deafening Silence on Azruddin Mohamed
What makes both newspapers’ conduct even more disturbing is their silence on one of the most explosive scandals in recent Guyana history—the alleged criminal empire of Azruddin Mohamed.
Azruddin has repeatedly been linked to money laundering, gold smuggling, invoice fraud, and even drug trafficking in collaboration with Colombian cartels. The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the FBI, and Homeland Security have sanctioned both Azruddin and Nazar Mohamed after gathering substantial evidence of their illegal activities. These sanctions are not minor technicalities—they have serious consequences for Guyana’s reputation, economy, and national security.
And yet, neither Stabroek News nor Kaieteur News has made this a headline. Neither has carried out a serious investigation. Neither has even posed the obvious questions. Instead, they conveniently turn a blind eye while seizing every opportunity to attack the PPP.
Why the silence? Why do these so-called “watchdogs of democracy” ignore Reuters’ international exposé on the Mohameds while attacking their own elected leaders at home? The answer seems clear: their mission is not to inform the public, but to weaken the PPP.
Twisting Reality, Misleading the Public
No leader or party in Guyana can dictate the agenda of American law enforcement. For Stabroek and Kaieteur to even consider this claim shows either ignorance of global realities or intentional dishonesty.
Their failure to recognize (or admit) that the United States is a global superpower, beyond the influence of any Guyanese political figure, is laughable. It raises serious questions about the credibility and competence of these media outlets.
Journalism or Agenda?
The role of the press is to highlight wrongdoing—regardless of who is involved. However, in Guyana today, Stabroek and Kaieteur News only reveal what aligns with their agenda. Their selective outrage, silence on Azruddin Mohamed, and relentless attacks on the PPP have reduced them to partisan pamphlets rather than trusted news sources.
The Guyanese people deserve more. They need journalism that explores all perspectives, challenges both government and opposition, and tells the truth even when it’s difficult. Until Stabroek News and Kaieteur News explain why they refuse to ask tough questions about Azruddin Mohamed, they cannot be considered true defenders of democracy.
Both Stabroek News and Kaieteur News have indirectly endorsed a known gold smuggler and money launderer, and today, that same individual has used his illicit wealth to be elected as the opposition leader in Parliament. By doing so, both papers are allegedly responsible for destroying the PNC/AFC parties. These newspapers should have exposed Azruddin Mohamed long ago, but instead, they provided him with a platform to launch his political campaigns. What does this say about their role in society? It is nothing less than a disgrace to democracy.
Their only clear goal is to relentlessly criticize the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo. Everyone knows that a foreign entity controls Stabroek News, while Kaieteur News is owned by Glenn Lall, whose jealousy of Dr. Jagdeo’s accomplishments burns intensely inside him.
These publications simply reveal their owners’ egos. Even more shocking is enabling a gold smuggler to become a so-called opposition leader in Guyana’s Parliament; they have compromised democratic principles and brought shame to the nation.