The board of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) will soon commence legal action against broadcasters who are in breach of the law, chairman of the entity Bibi Shaddick said.
The chairman disclosed that the board is looking to acquire three attorneys to file lawsuits against the errant broadcasters who have not been issued licences to continue operations beyond the end of this year.
She told media operatives on Tuesday that very soon the delinquent entities could be taken to court, noting that the relevant provisions of the Broadcast Act will be fully implemented.
Shaddick did not state how many media entities are yet to receive their licences, but she did say that the list is long.
She said some of the entities on the list have received approval letters, but have made no attempt to apply for their licences, citing the owner of Tarzie Television Station in Bartica as an example.
She also noted that HGPTV is expected to cease broadcasting on two channels, one of which had been approved for the station to broadcast from Georgetown.
The chairman said the station has since relocated its transmitter to Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara, where it was continuing to broadcast.
Several stations have been granted approval to acquire licences, despite the October 31 deadline having passed.
Nine broadcasting entities that have submitted their relevant documentation for licences to continue operations were recently presented with their licence certificates by the GNBA. Five television stations were presented with their licences, namely Television Guyana Incorporated (TVG), GWTV Channel 2, Pinnacle Communication Incorporated, Multi Technology Vision (MTV) Incorporated and CNS Incorporated. Those receiving radio licences were Radio Guyana Incorporated (RGI) and Telecor, Cultural and Broadcasting Incorporated.
Cable licences were granted to Atlantic Cable and E-Networks.
In addition to these, other entities have been granted approval to apply for their licences.
These include Movie Star Inc, Star TV Channel 102, WRHM Inc, 21st Century Communications, Rambarran Broadcasting Systems, HGPTV, NCN TV, NCN Radio, New Guyana Radio, AMG Radio, Wireless Connections, Linden Wireless Communication Network and Pinnacle Communications Radio, Bartica Communications Network (Cable) and Uramco Cables.
Meanwhile, it was also noted that the Guyana Learning Channel will benefit from waiver spectrum and broadcast fees. The channel has been registered as a trust.
