The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) said that among the issues it intends to raise for urgent resolution within the tripartite political talks with the People Progressive Party/Civic PPP/C) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) are amendments to the broadcast legislation, and the continued domination of the state media by the PPP/C.
APNU Leader David Granger
At a news conference on Thursday, the party said that during the recent elections, the extent of abuse of the state media by the PPP/C reached new levels.
“APNU believes that urgent action must now be taken to realign the National Communications Network (NCN) and the Guyana Chronicle to serve the interests of its rightful owners, the Guyanese people.”
While the APNU intends to resolve the matter within the tri-partite framework, the party said it believes that the management of the state media, if allowed to work free of party political control and influence, can immediately take steps to ensure that opposition parties, trade unions and other civil society stakeholders have fair access to the radio, television and print media.
“In particular, management of the state media can immediately increase coverage of views and activities of opposition parties and other stakeholders, and provide access by these entities through such mechanisms as right of reply, regularly scheduled commentaries and interviews.”
Additionally, the APNU said outside of this issue, it also intends to table in Parliament amendments to the broadcast legislation to ensure it adheres to the spirit of the report of the Hoyte/ Jagdeo committee on broadcasting.
The APNU will also propose that Parliament uses its authority to review all new TV and radio licences granted over the last several years, especially those in the last year; demand a financial audit of NCN and the Guyana Chronicle, including income derived from political ads during the last election.
Government on July 28 last year passed broadcast legislation despite an opposition walk out. The passage of the bill paved the way for the establishment of a broadcast authority which will regulate radio and television stations, and issue licences. It was the third draft of a broadcast bill.
The previous two documents were condemned by several groups before they were withdrawn.
According to the explanatory memorandum, the bill provides for the establishment of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority which will be responsible for the regulation, supervision and development of the National Broadcasting Authority, provides for its functions, and provides for the licensing of broadcasting agencies and the encouragement of production and broadcasting of television and radio programmes having relevance generally to life and culture of the Guyanese people.
Like the recently tabled Access to Information Bill, the Broadcast Bill is another effort to enhance transparency in government and promote freedom of expression.
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