Corbin sues Norton & Stabroek News!

PNCR Leader Robert Corbin has filed a $1M libel suit against Guyana Publications Inc, the publisher of the Stabroek News, and PNCR executive Aubrey Norton over allegations pertaining to the party’s Georgetown District Conference elections.

Based on an ex-parte application by Corbin’s attorney Rex McKay SC, Justice Dawn Gregory-Barnes yesterday granted an interim injunction against Guyana Publications Inc, Stabroek News’ Editor-in-Chief Anand Persaud and Norton, restraining them from further publishing the alleged libel until after a hearing and determination of a summons in the case, which is returnable for July 31 for an in chambers hearing.

Corbin is seeking damages in excess of $1M for the alleged libel as well as aggravated or exemplary damages. Additionally, he is also seeking an injunction restraining the defendants from further publication of the alleged libel, which he fears could cause harm and cause right thinking persons to lose confidence in him as a political leader.

In an affidavit in support of the application for the injunction, Corbin alleged that on Tuesday, June 30, 2009, the newspaper, quoting statements made by Norton, “falsely and maliciously wrote, printed and published, or caused to be written, printed and published” a report about him.

He said that as a result of the publication he has been “severely injured in his credit, character and reputation” and in the way of his office of leader of the PNCR as well as my constitutional office of Leader of the Opposition”, which he contended have “been brought into public scandal, odium and contempt.”

De Parrot's Note: Freedom of Expression does not give Stabroek News or any other media entity the right to shout "Fire" in a crowded Cinema! On this Blog I have stated many times that Stabroek News and others have to be responsible in the practice of their profession. These media houses often abandon the basic fundamentals of journalistic practice in an attempt to be sensational, carry out their subversive objectives or out-do their opponents.

On the other hand when action is taken or they are themselves subjected to criticism for their callousness there is often the lack of press freedom cry or stifling of the media being made by these very media houses.