No racial bias in issuance of radio licences – PPP/ C

The Peoples Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/ C) has defended the government’s position on the issuance of radio licences, removing itself from suggestions made that it used “racial profiling” in the process, while condemning sections of society for misleading the nation on the issue. Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Anil Nandlall said the PPP/ C administration has never once tried to use its executive powers to impose punitive sanctions in an unreasonable and unlawful fashion against any section of society.

Ethnicity
Nandlall, during his address to the media on Monday at the party’s press conference, said ethnicity has been made an issue with the issuance of radio licences, since the government broke the monopoly in 2011.
Instead, the minister recalled that the decision taken by former President Bharrat Jagdeo, to issue radio licences is a realisation of the 2006 manifesto promise, to break the monopoly on radio which was held by the state.
Unlike reports carried in sections of the media, Nandlall said permission was granted to a wide cross-section of individuals.
Government did not give one or two permissions to operate radio stations, he said, but granted approximately 10 permissions to broadcast.
The attorney general maintained that the manner in which the issuance of radio licences is being portrayed in sections of the media is one that speaks to “racial profiling”.
Press freedom
He expressed the view that “a deliberate impression is being conveyed that only persons of a certain ethnicity have been granted licences. This is an unfortunate practice by some media houses and in fact amplifies irresponsibility where press freedom is considered”. To this end, the minister maintained that government is cognisant of the importance of freedom of the press and expression.
Nandall said the commitment of the PPP/ C administration to freedom of expression has been questioned. The attorney general restated that the administration has a long legacy and a proud history of protecting and preserving freedom of expression in all of its manifestation and form.
Turning his attention to one case of suspension of licence, the minister recalled the CNS Channel Six case. He said this was one such scenario where government had the option of revoking the licence granted, after there was a breach in the Constitution.
The minister maintained that the fundamental position of the PPP/ C has always been to champion freedom of the press and expression and has accorded it the highest priority in the legal framework.
Recently, producer of Capitol News, Enrico Woolford and his seven lawyers were a no- show in the Supreme Court on Thursday, May 9 as the matter involving his challenge to radio licences issued by government and frequencies issued by the National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU) to 11 applicants, was called.
The matter was called before acting Chief Justice Ian Chang and has been adjourned to June 3.
Nandlall, named as the respondent in the case, requested a dismissal of the matter. However, the court granted a 21-day leave to the respondent, to allow him to file an affidavit in answer.