PARAMARIBO, Suriname - General Liberation and Development Party (ABOP) of Vice President, Ronnie Brunswijk Monday said it “deeply regrets” the incident in which a senior journalist has been hindered in the carrying out her duties on Sunday as President Chandrikapersad Santokhi ordered an investigation into the matter.
President Chan Santokhi (File Photo)“We hereby offer our sincere apologies to Mrs. Thomas, the editorial staff of Suriname Herald and the Surinamese Association of Journalists (SVJ). As a party, we attach great value to freedom of the press and the crucial role that journalists play in our democratic society. It is never our intention to hinder the free press or journalists in their work,” said Stanley Betterson, the ABOP chairman.
“We take this incident seriously and will evaluate internally how such situations can be prevented in the future. We would like to emphasize that this incident took place after the party congress, at a time when the ABOP leadership had already left. Nevertheless, we take our responsibility to ensure that journalists can do their work safely and without hindrance in all circumstances,” Betterson added.
ABOP said that it has started its “own investigation into this incident” and that “if it turns out that members of our party have been guilty of curtailing press freedom, we will take appropriate measures.
“We want to emphasize that such behavior is not consistent with the values and principles of our party. We hope that this statement will help restore confidence and we pledge our cooperation in the investigation into this matter.
The editor in chief of the Suriname Herald newspaper, Vishmohanie Thomas, had her work deleted Sunday after she had filmed a commotion at a meeting of the ABOP, where its candidates for the May 25 general election had been presented.
The Communication Service Suriname (CVS) said the Office of the President had also taken note of the media reports about the incident in which “a member of the National Security Service (DNV) allegedly acted improperly towards a journalist”.
It said that President Santokhi has instructed the management of DNV to thoroughly investigate this incident and that “based on the facts that emerge from this investigation, appropriate measures will be taken”
In an earlier statement, the SVJ condemned any form of “intimidation, obstruction or censorship of journalists
“Journalists must be able to do their work freely and independently, without interference or threats,” the SVJ said, adding that deleting images from the reporter’s phone is a serious violation of press freedom and the right to free news gathering, fundamental pillars of a democratic society.
According to SVJ, the footage of Thomas, who is also a former chair of the SVJ, was deleted from her phone after she filmed an incident and that a complaint has since been filed against the person, whom it described as “a member of the National Security Directorate”, who allegedly deleted the footage.
The CVS said that Santokhi has made it clear that he stands “unconditionally for law and order and that he will defend the free press at all times
“ A free press is an essential part of a well-functioning constitutional state and forms a foundation for democracy and transparency. The Office of the President will closely monitor further developments in this case and remains committed to safeguarding the rights of all citizens, including journalists,” it added.
The SVJ has pledged its support to Thomas regarding any legal action she may wish to take, adding that it will continue to work tirelessly to protect journalists and promote a safe working environment for all journalists in Suriname.
According to the association, this incident underscores the need to safeguard press freedom and defend it against any form of restriction.
Political parties in Suriname are campaigning for the May 25 general elections.
