In wake of public concerns being raised over the proposed amendments to Guyana’s Cybercrime Act, as indicated recently by Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General Anil Nandlall, Vice President and General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Bharrat Jagdeo, has affirmed that aligning Guyana’s legislation with the United Nations (UN) Convention will not infringe upon the rights of social media influencers or the public.
Speaking at Freedom House on Thursday, Jagdeo emphasised the government’s commitment to safeguarding freedom of expression. He dismissed allegations that the proposed amendments to the Cybercrime Act are aimed at curbing online discourse, stating, “Don’t buy into this hysteria that we are coming after anyone—whether influencers, social media commentators, or ordinary citizens. It’s nonsense.”
Jagdeo clarified that the amendments are targeted at addressing illegal activities taking place on social media platforms, not to limit free speech. “These are important issues for us. We’re not going to allow such activities in our country. But this is not about regulating what people say. We firmly believe in freedom of speech and freedom of expression,” he reiterated.
Meanwhile, Nandlall, in a statement on Wednesday, sought to respond to concerns raised on social media, assuring the public that the government intends to introduce legislation that adheres to international standards and remains constitutionally compliant.
He at the time, stressed that any regulatory measures would be implemented only after the finalization of the UN Convention on cyberspace regulation. The amendments to the Act, he insisted, are part of the government’s ongoing efforts to align with the global standards set by the UN for its member states.
