A new libel and slander action has been filed against Mikhail Rodrigues, also known as the “Guyanese Critic.” Guyanese activist Mark Benschop, who lives in the US, is suing Rodrigues this time.
In the complaint seen by this newspaper, Benschop is demanding damages for defamation against him that occurred on January 23, 2024, via the Facebook program “Morning live with Critic,” totaling over $100 million.
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In court records, Rodrigues is charged with disseminating or allowing the dissemination of false information that damages Benschop’s reputation both personally and professionally and negatively affects his social status.
Benschop is therefore requesting a mandatory injunction, in addition to $100 million in damages, requiring Rodrigues to immediately and permanently remove the defamatory remarks from the internet via the respondent’s Facebook social media forum, whether by himself, his servants, agents, assigns, or whomever else.
Together with interest at a rate of 6% annually from the date of filing to the day of judgment and subsequently at a rate of 4% annually from the date of judgment until completely paid, the claimant is also requesting exemplary damages, aggravated damages, and other benefits.
Benschop cited his reputation as a well-known and well-respected social crusader for Guyana’s democratic principles of social justice, equality, and good governance as evidence for his assertion.
The claimant stated that Keystone Solutions Inc., the firm that runs Benschop radio 107.1FM and is the host of the well-liked daily radio and social media show “Straight Up,” is owned and managed by him. The show is aired on the aforementioned radio station and on social media.
Benschop claimed to be a recipient of the national Medal of Service (M.S.) in Guyana in addition to being a political and immigration expert.
The activist stated that the defamatory remarks that were posted on the respondent’s Facebook forum , and widely disseminated, further publishing, transmitting, and broadcasting the remarks in an ordinary and natural way with the intention of causing reasonable harm to his reputation.
According to Benschop, the purpose of the aforementioned defamatory remarks appears to be to harm him as a political, immigration, and social activist. This is intended to diminish his standing in the eyes of morally upright people, make him the target of hostility and rejection from Guyanan citizens, and adversely impact his credibility, reputation, and character.
Consequently, the US-based activist claimed, his wife and family received a barrage of calls, texts, Facebook messages, emails, and WhatsApp communications about the false allegations made by the Rodrigues and their legitimacy and/or honesty.
The Guyanese Critic’s online claims were brought to his and his wife’s attention by numerous individuals, he said, including friends, family, coworkers, notable figures in the industry, government ministers, and officials. These individuals also requested information about the claims made by the Guyanese Critic.
Benschop said that this has seriously and irreversibly harmed his status and reputation both personally and professionally.
He asserts that he has experienced, and still experiences, pecuniary harm, ongoing severe misery, shame, humiliation, indignity, and agony.
Benschop claims that the spiteful, blatantly false, and intentionally misleading remarks are without any basis in reality.
The case, which was prepared by Roysdale Forde, SC, claimed that the claimant has as a result suffered grave harm to his reputation, credit, character, and profession as well as public disgrace and contempt.
