High Court Judge Fidela Corbin-Lincoln has ordered the Department of Public Information (DPI) and the Attorney General to pay $10 million to Vincent Alexander, Chairman of the International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly-Guyana (IDPADA-G), due to defamatory statements made by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and published by DPI in 2022.
The court ruled that while Mr. Jagdeo was not held liable for his comments, which were deemed to be made under qualified privilege, he failed to prove that his statements about Mr. Alexander were substantially true or fair. During a press conference, Mr. Jagdeo accused Mr. Alexander of having a financial stake in IDPADA-G, the organization that has reportedly received significant government funding. He suggested that Alexander and others were exploiting these funds at the expense of Afro-Guyanese communities.
Mr. Alexander challenged these allegations in court, arguing that the remarks were damaging to his reputation and sought their removal from public access.
In her decision, Judge Corbin-Lincoln stated that naming Mr. Alexander alongside others benefiting from government subvention could indeed be defamatory. She explained that the remarks implied dishonesty on Alexander’s part, suggesting he falsely aligned himself with Afro-Guyanese interests for personal gain. Moreover, the judge emphasized that the statements painted Alexander as unscrupulous and engaged in unethical behavior.
“Having considered the words complained of, I find that they are capable of the meanings alleged, implying that the claimant is dishonest, lacks integrity, and is using public funds for personal benefit,” Judge Corbin-Lincoln asserted. She further noted that such statements could lower Mr. Alexander’s standing in the eyes of the community.
In addition to the $10 million awarded to Mr. Alexander, Justice Corbin-Lincoln directed DPI to remove the controversial interview by the end of the year and to pay $500,000 in legal costs to Alexander. Conversely, Mr. Alexander is required to pay Mr. Jagdeo $350,000 in costs related to the case.
The ruling underscores the legal risks of public statements that may harm individuals’ reputations, especially when financing and community interests are involved.
