NOTICE TO ALL READERS OF KAIETEUR NEWS

We are calling to your attention the continued systematic campaign to strangle this newspaper and at the same time to assure you, our readers and advertisers, that those behind this wicked plot are deluding themselves into believing that they can shut down this newspaper.
Over the past year, we have seen an inexorable drying up of government advertisements to the Kaieteur News. This newspaper publishes locally and in New York.
As an example of how irrational the ads placements have become, in the one-week period from April 18 to April 24, 2010, the following are the percentages:

Guyana Chronicle - 35.9%
Stabroek News      - 32.1%
Guyana Times        - 18.5%
Kaieteur News       - 13.5%
The situation was most glaring on Monday April 19. Kaieteur News received 7 per cent of advertising while the other three each received 31 per cent.
This newspaper does not intend to go down the route taken by Stabroek News when it saw a steep reduction in government ads for eighteen months. We are not launching any campaign to protest and internationalize what we perceive as a systematic operation to stifle this newspaper.  We are not going to whine or beg anyone, least of all the conniving and the vindictive.
Kaieteur News has never bowed to any power, except those in the heavens. We shall not be intimidated. We shall not give in to the pressures and we are not going to make any deals that would compromise what we have always stood for: fearlessness and independence in news gathering and commentary.
We have faced and overcome similar problems in the past. For the first ten years of this newspaper’s existence we never received Government ads. We survived because of the faith that you the readers reposed in us.  We shall continue to do so despite the present difficulties
In order to preserve our independence and reduce our reliance on government ads, we shall increase the price of our newspapers by $20 beginning 1st May, 2010. We know that you the readers will appreciate that this is a necessary step to ensure that we are outside of the reach of those that wish to suffocate us and keep you in the dark.
We know that you, our readers, will understand what it takes to survive as a viable business and will continue to lend your support, as you have done, through the years. You have been the bedrock of our sustenance as we have persevered in our quest to bring you quality reporting on matters of public interest.
With your support we shall stand firm. In the words of Winston Churchill, we say, “We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. Whatever the cost…  We shall never surrender.”