Guyana, TT officials discuss broadcast legislation at public forum

A team of top officials of the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) on Monday evening met local stakeholders at a well-attended forum organised by the National Frequency Management Unit, a GINA release stated.
Delivering a brief presentation at the Regency Hotel, Hadfield Street, TATT’s Vice Chairman, Kwesi Prescod, noted that media and rules governing media operatives have, and will have to evolve, to adapt to the changing times, citing the Internet as an area that holds challenges as well as opportunities. “With great power comes great responsibility,” he said, noting that self-regulation is also necessary as is the need to build good faith amongst all stakeholders.
After his presentation, various questions were posed by stakeholders who included veteran media operatives and other participants.
In response to a query, TATT Deputy Chairman Cagnay Casinire noted that the road to good broadcast legislation is a long one, and though Trinidad’s route to broadcast legislation is yet to be put in place, the end result will be the same.
After many public consultations, the neighbouring country has a code which will eventually form the basis for broadcast legislation, and Casinire noted that Guyana’s move to institute an act to govern broadcasting should be commended for its speedy implementation. He also echoed the view that Trinidad’s legal framework for broadcast legislation mirrors that of Guyana’s.
According to Casinire, even contentious television stations are now on board as they all understand that standards are important as they lend credibility to the entire industry. He added that while the two countries are clearly in different environments, which will dictate how key issues are addressed, the focus is the same in both cases.
The event was described as the start of the learning curve to generate confidence on both sides about the benefits of the Broadcast Act, Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon said in closing remarks.
Among those present were Prime Minister Samuel Hinds; TATT Chief Executive Officer Chris Seecheran; and TATT Spectrum Planning, Management and Monitoring Manager Kirk Sookram. The Broadcast Act was first tabled in Parliament in September 2011 and became effective in August 2012.
The governing board of the Guyana National Broadcast Authority, subsequent to the commencement order identifying that the Broadcast Act of 2011 is in force, began work. The board’s chairperson is former Human Services Minister and Attorney-at-Law, Bibi Shaddick and it comprises Margo Boyce; Gerald Gouveia; Retired Major General Norman McLean; Dr Dindyal Permaul; Sherwood Lowe (nominee of the opposition leader); and Charles Ramson Jr.
The governing board is tasked with regulating the broadcast sector and ensuring broadcasters’ compliance with the provisions of the Broadcast Act.