A letter in today’s edition of Kaieteur News headlined ‘A vigorous
investigation is also needed into mismanagement, overspending at DPI’
written by ‘Loyal but frustrated DPI Staffers’ has been brought to my
attention.
The letter raises three specific issues:
The role of the Editor-in-Chief
The hosting of staff training and morale building events
DPI publications
Editor-in-Chief
The Department of Public Information editorial team substantively
comprises the Editor-in-Chief (EiC), an Assignment and Special
Projects Editor, a News Editor and a Sub-Editor.
The role of the EiC, is not to micro-manage and assume sub-editing
functions and laboriously and painstaking go through each of the
dozens of the daily articles and scripts for grammatical and spelling
mistakes, correct these and then approve for dissemination. This is
impractical, inefficient and unheard of in this modern, real-time
communication environment. Such a system would result in DPI literally
distributing days-old content.
This ‘system’ however, is what obtained under a previous dispensation.
From the evidence in the letter, it appears as though some staff
members prefer the old, outdated system of no substantive editorial
team and a singular, almighty EiC.
To operate optimally, fluidly and effectively DPI requires a competent
and dynamic cadre of Communication Officers, supported by an editorial
team (not a singular almighty EiC).
Under my leadership DPI has strived to achieve this and we have made
some not insignificant gains. Change is not always a process eagerly
embraced and there has been both latent and outright resistance in
this regard. I acknowledge that there is considerable work to be done
to further improve quality and an enhanced work ethic.
Staff training and retreat
Prior to the merger of DPI and GINA, as incoming Director, I held
one-on-one discussions with almost every staff member. Among other
things the issues of staff development, training and staff morale were
lamented as sore points by the vast majority of staff members.
It is true that DPI has held training and staff development retreats
at various venues. We have received feedback from several staff
members who related positive experience and are thankful for the
opportunities to grow and develop.
What appears to be the vexing issue raised in the letter relating to a
particular staff event is that certain members of staff were desirous
of the event being hosted at a popular and exclusive resort.
It came to my attention that certain staff members who were advised of
DPI’s budget cap for such events sought to negotiate (without DPI’s
knowledge or permission) a ‘side arrangement’.
The ‘side arrangement’ was that should the resort management provide
DPI with severely discounted rates, they (the staff members) would, in
an ‘under-the-table-quid-pro-quo’ personally ensure the use of DPI
equipment, resources and platforms to provide promotion and publicity
to the resort.
When information on this ‘side arrangement’ came to my attention I was
uncomfortable with it and caused it to be discontinued. The event was
held elsewhere, at a less glamorous facility, much to the chagrin and
resistance of certain staff members who were intent on their choice of
venue.
Publications
DPI produces seven newspapers – Hinterland Highlights, Rupununi
Roundup, Berbice Bulletin, Linden Ledger, Essequibo Express, West Side
Diary and Bartica Buzz.
President David Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo are on
public record as having spoken to and written on the issue of the
public’s right to information.
In February, this year, at the launch of Radio Aishalton, His
Excellency said, “[y]our government is concerned that as far as the
delivery of public information services is concerned, just like public
health and public education, you should not be wanting for public
information… you have a right to public information.”
DPI is tasked with fulfilling this mandate.
In addition to the newspapers, six radio stations have been
established by this government at Aishalton, Mabaruma, Bartica,
Lethem, Orealla and Mahdia. These serve as a critical link in ensuring
that citizens who were previously locked out from accessing
information are no longer denied their right to be informed.
On a monthly basis television programmes are also packaged on DVDs and
distributed (along with the newspapers) throughout our hinterland
regions. This is done at some cost as it involves transportation over
land for long distances to remote villages, by water and in some
instances by air. This is the Guyanese reality. DPI is constantly
seeking cost-effective means of distributing content across Guyana and
are grateful to private individuals, Toshaos, airlines, boat operators
and Members of Parliament who have provided distribution support.
We had received consistent complaints, particularly from Berbice, the
Essequibo Coast, Linden and Bartica that while the daily newspapers
were reaching them that news and developments in those areas were not
being featured. There was a gap which DPI is aiming to fill with
monthly publications (which augment the dailies and are not in
competition with them as we do not seek advertising nor sell the
newspaper) so that residents in these areas can have a sense of what
is happening in their neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.
It is a fallacy that each of these newspapers is a ‘new production’
which requires completely new content. These newspapers are mainly a
collection of DPI material which relate to those specific areas. There
is limited bespoke content produced for these newspapers.
Further still DPI engages the services of various freelancers in the
regions who provide articles for these publications. Any notion that
the need to provide content for these publications is burdensome to
the Communication Officers is disingenuous and false.
Finally, the Department of Public Information is a budget agency under
the Office of the Prime Minister. DPI is subject to an annual audit by
the Auditor General’s Office. We have and will continue to fully
comply in this regard. DPI budget is subject to scrutiny and approval
in the National Assembly. I can reveal that DPI has not sought any
supplementary sums to execute its operations and is being managed
within budget and with strict adherence to all procurement regulations
and guidelines.
It is not my intention or inclination to engage in speculation as to
the motive and intended purpose of the ‘copycat complaint letter’ or
to pursue any pointless and petty witch-hunt. I am both confident in
and comfortable with leaving those who wish to read the letter to form
their own conclusions.
