By Latoya Giles As Guyana joins the world in celebrating World Press Freedom Day today, United States Ambassador to Guyana D. Brent Hardt said that while new radio broadcasting licences are welcome, the process by which such licences are issued must be fair and transparent.The envoy made those comments last evening at a reception that he hosted in honour of the event.“Last year, I welcomed the decision by the Government to free the radio airwaves and end the model of limited, state-influenced radio. Radio is such an integral part of the public square throughout the Caribbean, and opening up that square in Guyana as it is in other Caribbean countries will do much to generate a more inclusive,Supply Cheapest Air Max, participatory public dialogue on issues of the day for the people of Guyana. While new radio broadcasting licences are welcome, the process by which such licences are issued must be fair and transparent.United States Ambassador to Guyana D. Brent HardtGuyana created a reasonable foundation for such a process through its 2011 Broadcasting Legislation, which paved the way for the creation of a National Broadcast Authority. It is now time for the Authority to do its work — to promptly review and approve qualified applicants, including many long established media houses whose applications in various forms have been pending since the late 1990’s.”The ambassador noted that such progress will contribute to what? was recognized in their? recent Human Rights Report is an environment that broadly provides for freedom of expression and in which the government generally respects this right in practice. He noted that the report highlighted continuing restrictions on radio broadcasting and the Government’s continued exercise of control over the content of the National Communications Network (NCN) television station,Nike Air Max 2019 Outlet, which gives government spokespersons extended coverage, while limiting participation of opposition figures.According to Ambassador Hardt as was observed last year, he has been very impressed by the quality and scope of the media output in Guyana, with four daily newspapers, and array of television stations, and,Cheap Air Max 2019 Shoes, hopefully, soon, a broader range of independent radio stations.The theme for this year’s global World Press Freedom celebration is: Safe to Speak: Securing Freedom of Expression in All Media.? This theme seeks to cast a spotlight on the safety of journalists, to combat impunity for crimes against freedom of expression, and to secure a free and open Internet as the precondition for safety online.It was further stated by the ambassador that the United States greatly values freedom of the press as a key component of democratic governance. “Democratic societies, including our own, are not infallible, but they are accountable to their citizens. “While we may be imperfect, we have no shortage of media houses of all viewpoints to call attention to those imperfections and to demand better.”“The Constitution makes clear that our goal as a nation is not perfection, but of striving toward “a more perfect union. That is precisely why the free exchange of ideas is the foundation of? accountable governance.”Hardt said that in the United States, Guyana, and countries around the world, the press fosters active debate, provides investigative reporting, and serves as a forum to express different points of view, particularly on behalf of those who are marginalized in society.Further, the ambassador noted that the United States also saluted the courage of journalists worldwide who do their work often at great risk and often with minimal rewards.“Journalists are often the first to uncover corruption, to report from the front lines of conflict zones, and to highlight missteps by governments. As a result, the media is often a target of retaliation and criticism by those who feel threatened by freedom of expression and transparency in democratic processes. Sometimes force, such as physical intimidation, is not even necessary to silence freedom of expression.Legal mechanisms such as criminal libel laws can also be misused to intimidate, as journalists risk being sent to prison simply for doing their job of investigating and reporting on matters of public interest.”He further stated that the United States supports the recent initiative by the International Press Institute (IPI) to encourage countries throughout the Caribbean region to repeal such laws,Cheap Air Max 2019 Sale, and “we welcome the positive signals provided by both the Government and opposition in Guyana to do so. Beyond criminal libel, even civil libel cases can generate legal fees that can often bankrupt individuals being sued. All of this reinforces why governments and citizens worldwide come together on this