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March 27, 2026
On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day 2025, Guyanese officials have joined the global call for more responsible uses of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in a world increasingly plagued by misinformation.
This year’s observance is being held under the theme: “Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media.”
The Guyana Press Association (GPA), in a statement marking the occasion, warned that while this technology can support the work of journalists, both they and the wider public must remain vigilant of its potential pitfalls.
The Association noted that, at a time when advertising revenue for traditional media has declined and shifted largely to online and social media platforms, AI applications could be used to assist with research and produce engaging content at lower costs, while offering greater potential for monetisation.
On the other hand, the GPA urged media houses not to rely on AI technologies to the extent that they virtually replace all human staff. It stressed that the preservation of highly skilled media professionals—both technical and non-technical—is essential and must be balanced with the need to serve the public interest efficiently and effectively.
“The Guyana Press Association believes that AI can have a deleterious effect on press freedom, to the extent that the misapplication of this technology can lead to the creation of content that appears authentic and persuasive. Therefore, the Association warns the public against being gullible in the face of media productions that may seem legitimate—ranging from news reports to documentaries,” the GPA said.
“In short, the utilisation of AI for ‘Reporting in the Brave New World’ can impact press freedom and the media—and ultimately, the wider public,” the statement continued.
As Guyana prepares for general and regional elections, the Association cautioned members of the public to be extremely vigilant against misinformation and disinformation that may be generated using AI and appear to be authentic.
It also issued a stern warning to politicians and their handlers against producing or facilitating the dissemination of deceptive campaign content generated by AI.
Additionally, the GPA recommended that the Guyana Police Force explore the use of AI to generate and disseminate content on crime trends from statistical, sociological, and demographic perspectives.
“We envisage, too, in the not-too-distant future, a Guyana Police Force whose public relations mechanisms are equipped with AI to generate accurate and timely news releases. Perhaps the Police Force may even be able to deploy AI-powered humanoid robots capable of conducting interviews or press conferences, and providing up-to-date crime statistics. These are things that current human officeholders often fail to provide in detail,” the GPA remarked.
Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, in his message to mark the occasion, noted that the advent of AI presents both unprecedented opportunities and formidable challenges for journalism.
He stated that while AI has the potential to revolutionise fact-checking, data analysis, and real-time reporting, it also enables the unchecked spread of misinformation, deepfakes, and algorithmic bias, all of which threaten the credibility of the media.
“In Guyana, we have witnessed the disturbing rise of misinformation and disinformation, including from some corners of the media that have abandoned professional ethics in favour of blatant political bias. This erosion of standards constitutes a creeping breakdown of the sacred principles that have long guided the Fourth Estate. The press, in its entirety, must reclaim its essential role as a bastion of truth and accountability, grounded in objectivity, integrity, and adherence to universal journalistic ethics,” McCoy stated.
He added that the media’s credibility must be protected not only by the government or institutions, but also by those working within its ranks.
“In this age of artificial intelligence, the stakes are even higher. As information becomes more easily manipulated, the collective responsibility to preserve the truth must intensify. Let us commit to ensuring that AI technologies are applied ethically—used to uplift rather than destabilise, and deployed in service of the public good, not in the service of chaos or ideological warfare,” he added.
McCoy reaffirmed the Government of Guyana’s recognition of the critical value of the Fourth Estate within the democratic fabric of society, as well as the tireless work, sacrifices, and integrity of professional journalists, editors, producers, and all media practitioners and ancillary workers.
He also acknowledged the critical role of UNESCO in championing and defending the principles of press freedom worldwide.
GPA President, Nazima Raghubir
