Guyana’s constitution provides protection for free speech and the right to information, yet officials have proposed legislation—including defamation laws, which provide for fines and up to two years in jail—to stop journalists who disagree with their political party. Because members of the media regulatory authority are appointed directly by the president, this restricts the freedom of certain media outlets, which are denied licenses. Recent attempts to improve regulation of the broadcast industry involved no consultation with any broadcasters. Journalists have also faced harassment in the form of prosecutions, suspensions, and intimidation.