Opposition politicians doing the work that journalists should do weakens our democracy

Dear Editor,

It has become increasingly apparent that Guyana’s opposition leaders have assumed a role traditionally reserved for investigative journalists—that of uncovering and exposing governmental wrongdoing. While scrutiny of those in power is essential to democracy, we must ask why our country’s opposition politicians are doing the work that the media should be undertaking.

When political leaders become the primary investigators of corruption, malfeasance, and constitutional breaches, we face several troubling implications. First, such investigations risk being dismissed as mere political theatre rather than objective fact-finding. The public questions whether evidence is being presented for truth or partisan advantage. Second, this dynamic places an undue burden on opposition parties, which ought to focus on formulating alternative policy platforms and holding government accountable through parliamentary scrutiny and debate—not serving as makeshift news organizations.

Most concerning is what this shift reveals about our media landscape. A robust, independent press is the cornerstone of democratic accountability. When investigative journalism weakens—whether due to resource constraints, editorial pressures, or lack of institutional independence—opposition parties step into the void. This is not a failure of opposition leadership; it is a failure of democratic institutions.

Guyana’s citizens deserve journalism that investigates claims free from partisan motivation. They deserve opposition leaders focused on articulating vision and policy. And they deserve a government that operates with such transparency and accountability that investigative work becomes a standard check, not an extraordinary measure.

Rather than applaud opposition leaders for donning journalist hats, we should be asking: Where are the independent media outlets? Why do we lack investigative journalism capacity? What structural changes would restore journalism’s role as democracy’s watchdog?

Until these questions are answered, opposition politicians will continue doing the work that journalism should do—and our democracy will be the weaker for it.

Sincerely,

Keith Bernard