GPA condemns Giftland’s discrimination against media
– Company apologizes
Kaieteur News – The Guyana Press Association (GPA) yesterday condemned an attempt by Giftland Mall to discriminate against a journalist and a media house. The company has since apologized.
Mall marketing manager Lorenzo Persaud had sent a consultant early yesterday, inviting media executives to a press conference at the office of Roy Beepat, owner of Giftland Mall. The purpose of the press conference was to discuss the reopening of the Mall, its court case with City Hall, and related issues.
Two hours later, the consultant followed up with a note from Persaud: “This invitation is kindly advised to exclude Gordon Mosely and News Source Guyana.”
Several journalists took umbrage at the statement, and took to social media to voice their concerns.
Shortly after noon, GPA President Nazima Raghubir shared a statement condemning the move.
“The Guyana Press Association condemns the exclusion of any media house or media worker / journalist from any incident. In an email to media houses, Giftland Group of Companies noted that News Source and journalist Gordon Moseley were excluded from today’s press conference. The GPA stands by all its media workers and recognized entities and refuses to target media workers and media houses. This ban is a direct attack on a media house and should be rejected outright by all media workers and media houses. ”
The GPA called on media houses to boycott any event that seeks to exempt media executives.
By 18:00 hours, Persaud had already sent an apology. He said, “With regard to the recent ban, I would also like to sincerely apologize to Mr Mosely and the media houses. In this respect, I meant no disrespect at all and I assure all media personnel, that this will not happen again. ”
Kaieteur News did not provide coverage for the 15: 00hour press conference, and is not aware whether any other media house did.
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