Washington, D.C.

The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) of the Organization of American States (OAS) has expressed concern about the decision of the Guyana Government to withdraw its official advertising from the daily newspaper Stabroek News.

"The Office of the Special Rapporteur has received information reporting that, since November 2006, the Government of the Republic of Guyana has completely withdrawn its official advertising from Stabroek News, one of the newspapers with thegreatest circulation in the country," the Special Rapporteur's Office said. "According to available information, this decision could be related to the editorial position of the newspaper, which is critical of the Government."

No response

On June 13, the Special Rapporteur's Office requested that the Government provide information, within a period of 15 days, regarding the allocation of official advertising in the country. Up to yesterday, the Special Rapporteur's Office said it had not received a response from the Government.

"The Office of the Special Rapporteur emphasises that the authority that states have to make decisions regarding the awarding of advertising should be exercised on the basis of objective and transparent criteria," it said. "Measures that deprive a media outlet from receiving official advertising for being critical of the public administration constitute an indirect restriction on freedom of expression."