In his latest opinion piece titled “Rebuking the Politics of Fabrication,” Jermaine Figueira, former Member of Parliament, addressed the increasing spread of misinformation in Guyana’s political landscape. Figueira highlighted the detrimental effects that fabricated rumors and sensational narratives have on public discourse, particularly targeting prominent figures like Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo.
Figueira described a troubling trend where individuals, often lacking genuine contributions, resort to online manipulation and cyberbullying to gain visibility. He stated, “Such conduct is not merely intellectually dishonest; it is socially destabilizing.” He criticized those who choose to spread falsehoods for prioritizing personal gain over civic responsibility, warning that these actions erode public trust and the integrity of governance.
He noted that recent coordinated efforts aimed at defaming Jagdeo occurred despite his commitment to advancing national development and preparing the national budget. According to Figueira, this disconnect between online sensationalism and political reality reflects a deeper crisis of relevance among those spreading misinformation.
To combat this issue, Figueira called for robust civic education, digital literacy, and legislative reforms to protect the public discourse from manipulative narratives. He emphasized that the antidote to misinformation lies not just in rebuttal but in a collective reaffirmation of truth as a democratic value.
Figueira also critiqued the opposition for embracing misinformation as a political tool, which he argued undermines their legitimacy and distances them from the electorate. “A ‘political movement’ that relies on distortion as its primary currency cannot expect to earn public confidence,” he stated.
He concluded by asserting that governance should be measured by tangible outcomes like economic growth and social stability, rather than online theatrics. “In the long arc of political history, lies are temporary, but tangible development is permanent,” he declared, cautioning that those who invest in falsehoods risk being left behind as mere observers of national progress.
