Religious TV channel soon to become reality

TIMES INT'L

The establishment of an Inter-Religious Television (IRTV) channel dedicated to the broadcasting of religious programmes on a 24-hour basis is within reach.

President Bharrat Jagdeo on Friday met members of the Inter Religious Organisation (IRO) at the Office of the President, and announced that funding has been made available for the setting up of the channel.

Bishop Juan Edghill, a member of the IRO, made that disclosure to the Government Information Agency (GINA) after the meeting. He is confident that the channel will be up and running within weeks.

Edghill was not at liberty to disclose the amount of the fund, however efforts are being made to ensure coverage is as expansive as possible.

The president had pledged in 2005 to facilitate the establishment of a channel solely for religious purposes.

In January, the IRO agreed to the setting up of a board of directors, and crafted a model for equitable distribution of airtime amongst the various religious bodies.

Many religious leaders see the channel as a tool to fortify the very important role religious organisations have been playing in Guyana for peace, harmony, tolerance and as the voice of moral authority. This will be the first such channel for Guyana. It comes on the heels of the Guyana Learning Channel that was launched in April to revolutionise the delivery of education.

The president has been charging religious leaders to continue the work for peace and harmony in Guyana, and to repudiate any attempts made by persons to incite racial tension, as Guyana prepares for its regional and national elections.

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