Georgetown, Guyana – In a bid to foster closer ties and collaboration in the realm of media, mass communication, and public affairs, the governments of Guyana and Jamaica inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Friday. The signing ceremony took place at the Cara Lodge Hotel in Georgetown, marking a significant step towards strengthening partnerships for knowledge sharing and capacity building.
The MoU, signed by representatives from both nations, underscores the pivotal role that mass communication plays in shaping society and aims to facilitate greater cooperation in this crucial area.
Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with Responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, emphasized the importance of bridging gaps between the information and communication sectors of the two countries. He underscored Guyana’s commitment to enhancing relations among sister states within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), aligning with the region’s integration movement.
Acknowledging Jamaica’s distinct approaches in certain areas, Minister McCoy expressed the intent to assess and adopt practices that may contribute to greater efficiency in Guyana’s communication landscape.
The signing of the MoU is expected to open avenues for further collaborative initiatives, complementing existing programs aimed at bolstering Guyana’s communications landscape.
However, amidst these developments, concerns regarding freedom of the press in Guyana persist. The Guyana Press Association (GPA) recently highlighted an “alarming increase” in online attacks against media workers and urged all citizens to ensure the protection of media workers. The GPA also called on the Guyana Police Force to act swiftly in several matters involving media workers, including instances of cyberbullying, shooting incidents, and alleged sexual assault.
As Guyana and Jamaica move forward in their partnership for media cooperation, addressing these pressing issues will be crucial to fostering an environment conducive to the free exchange of information and ideas.