Concerned about serious professional implications of being identified in this Chronicle column

Dear Editor,

I am writing regarding an article authored by Freddie Kissoon and published in the Guyana Chronicle on August 4, 2026, titled “Raising the MV Barima: Urgently a Political Trap.” After several friends and colleagues brought the article to my attention, I became aware that I had been publicly identified as someone who is not a supporter of the government.

While I respect the publication’s role in reporting on and commenting on political matters, I must express concern about the serious professional implications of this public identification. By naming me in this manner, the article may adversely affect my ability to engage with the current government in professional or official settings. It also raises troubling questions about whether such a public designation could influence how I am treated at airports, government ministries, official conferences, or other public institutions. I would like to believe that the author’s intention was to highlight my impartiality; however, that can only be clarified if the author issues a statement explaining the purpose of the reference. Using a newspaper platform to identify individuals who may hold differing political or professional views risks undermining the standards of responsible journalism.

This matter raises important concerns about the responsibilities of journalists and news organizations. Political commentary should not be used, intentionally or otherwise, in a way that may harm individuals’ professional prospects, discourage civic participation, or create the perception of political reprisal. I also wonder whether other citizens publicly identified in newspaper commentaries have experienced difficulty securing government employment, conducting business with government agencies, or maintaining professional relationships with public institutions, and whether they have questioned if such outcomes were connected to their public characterization.

I believe readers should be made aware of the real-world consequences that public naming and labeling in political commentary can have on individuals’ lives, careers, and reputations. I trust that the Guyana Chronicle, as a responsible news organization, will carefully consider the potential impact of such references in its future coverage. It would be nice if the author and the Guyana Chronicle could issue a formal response clarifying the intent of the reference.

Sincerely,

Keith Bernard