The government last evening defeated an opposition motion calling for wider television access in Linden, but indicated its willingness to grant new broadcast licences and re-examine long-delayed legislation.
The motion by AFC MP Sheila Holder was defeated on a vote of 31 to 24 at yesterday’s Private Members Sitting, where PPP/C MP Gail Teixeira told the National Assembly that the government is willing to withdraw from a five-year-old agreement with the main opposition PNCR and exercise its right to grant new licences.
Sheila Holder
Holder’s motion sought to have the Assembly call on government and the National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU) to permit operators of private television channels the right to relay and beam their signals to Linden, Wismar and other Region 10 communities, without having to attain additional licences and pay additional fees. During the testy debate, government and opposition MPs clashed over whether the constitutional rights of the Lindeners are being infringed as a result of there being no other local television channels other than the state-run NCN.
Holder charged that Lindeners have a fundamental right to receive ideas and information without interference, as guaranteed under Article 146 (1) constitution. As a result, she accused the government of operating a monopoly on the airwaves in Linden, disallowing citizens from participating in the affairs of the town as well as the country. She suggested that the voting patterns of the community might have influenced the deliberate “discrimination” against Linden and similar arguments were put forward by AFC MPs Raphael Trotman and Khemraj Ramjattan. Trotman likened the situation to intellectual genocide. He noted that Region 2 has a smaller population than Linden but access to eight TV stations to Linden’s one. Ramjattan accused the government of partaking in the same behaviour it had lambasted the PNC administration for during its time in office, recalling a similar attitude to newsprint and radio in the 1970s. He said the government appeared to be exercising control over the TV access in the town by denying CNS 6 and Vieira Communications Television 28 their applications for relay towers to extend their signal to Linden, while granting extensions to the state TV. He charged the administration with attempting to control the people.
Teixeira said that the electro-magnetic spectrum used to facilitate broadcasts is not infinite, saying that it is important to ensure availability in the future. She also suggested that there is a misunderstanding about the agreement to freeze the grant of new licences until new broadcast legislation is in place. The agreement was part of a communiqué signed by President Bharrat Jagdeo and Opposition Leader Robert Corbin. She blamed the PNCR for holding up the process and called for it to be re-examined. She said while it is argued that extant licencees can simply apply to extend their coverage, to do so would require frequency changes and new licences. She said the present operators would need new frequencies assigned to them in order for them to access Linden. She said it is possible for broadcasters to improve the quality of their transmissions as NCN has done but not exceed frequency. She, however, noted that the state media has exclusive rights to frequency expansion.
But Teixeira also drew attention to the fact that Guyana has 20 TV stations and one radio station and with new technologies broadcasters are utilising the non-traditional broadcast spectrum. She noted that Cable TV and Satellite TV providers are already servicing Linden, an assertion echoed by Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee. However, opposition MPs pointed out that Lindeners want more access to local stations with local content.
PNCR leader Corbin decried the situation and likened the attempts to resolve it to flogging a dead horse. He called for the executive to honour its word and draft a broadcast bill that reflects all the agreements of the bi-partisan commission set up to examine it. In the interim, he opined that legislation would not be needed to allow the extension to CNS 6 and VCT 28. He warned that the continuation of the current trend and the government’s refusal to act could see more radio stations springing up. “People would not allow their constitutional rights to be deprived because they have given the government enough time to act,” he said.
PNCR-1G Region 10 MP Vanessa Kissoon said Lindeners are fed up with the NCN programming, saying that they want to determine what they watch. She called the situation wholly unacceptable while raising concern over the censorship of content produced by Lindeners for broadcast on NCN. She noted that the Regional Democratic Council which was given an hour of airtime has to have its content vetted by NCN’s Georgetown office. “When we want to air our views, we have no opportunity,” she said, adding that US-based programme provider Muzik Media was also asked to provide its production for vetting after airing a segment that featured local news. She said another locally-produced programme, “What You Need to Know,” is also similarly vetted. “The residents of Linden feel restrained… allow us to have freedom of choice.”
Kissoon noted that since Holder’s motion was tabled a little over a month ago, NCN has produced a new programme, “Let’s Talk Linden.” “We don’t want that,” she declared. “We want six and twenty-eight and other stations.”
She also argued that the TV station in Linden is the rightful property of the town. She said it was handed over as a gift to the people by a corporate citizen and called for it to be returned. She submitted an amendment to the motion to this end.
Meanwhile, GAP-ROAR MP Everall Franklin noted debate might not be taking place if there were a recognition that NCN belonged to all of the people. “We are speaking of NCN as if it did not belong to all of the people,” he said. “Here we are begging for time on the nation’s station.” According to him, it is only a matter of time before the restrictions fail to have any impact in light of the evolution of media platforms. He warned against excluding access to Lindeners and noted that such an approach might not have mattered if the government had confidence in the quality of NCN’s programming, which he called substandard. He said he was heartened by Teixeira’s call and hoped that the issue would be speedily resolved so that real problems affecting the people can be addressed.
I think some people only want this almost isolated town to listen and see ONE thing. Its like brain washing!!
Imagine this beautiful country only has one radio station (and its government controlled) ……….i am guessing that America got more radio stations than the people in Guyana………….right??
you right about that sandhurst.
Sandy,brainwashing has been used before,but these Lindeners and people like you and I are regecting it, it won’t work on us,it worked very well in the past,you can tell by the behavour of some of the bloggers on this site,they behave like zombies,as soon as you speak about the madministration,they spring into action,and if you notice they keep saying the same things over and over,as though they have been programmed,lol!!!
According to the FCC, in 2004 there were 13,476 radio stations in the US.
SandHurst fist man you are the keeper of these blogs. You are alwayse first. Its rediculus the radio and television situation in Linden though the Gov cant be serious I think the are being spiteful with the people of linden because its considered a PNC strong hold whatever that means
Just like the attempt to criminalize street protests, the purpose of controling the media is to castrate certain segments of society…rendering them IMPOTENT and DOCILE!
Sad part is? It’s working…..
Sandman, let me first congratulate your new look…LOL I guess you are gearing up for a run at a political office. On the issue of radio stations, I am in agreement with the Government only because of the following: that the Government cannot allow, in the current climate, too many dissenting voices to be aired throughout the country and especially in communities that are predominated by one race, be it Indo or Afro; that the country is not currently ready for freedom of information, (witness the pulling of ads from this paper by the Govt); that the leaders feel that there are more educated people not functioning as “ministers of Govt” who are poised to inform the public of the Govt’s malaise; that the Gov’t think that in a “democracy” where “high schoolers” who run the country know what is best for the people. We as a people will get there radio station et al. ISNM
SandHurst, SLAVERY was abolish a long time ago. But some still try to use it, in different forms like, MENTAL SLAVERY.
Dictatorship, brainwashing, political arrogance, lots of BS & ignorance in full effect!!! Good work by our democrazy.
The people in Linden have this and more coming to them. They choose to embrace a wolf in sheep’s clothing, therefore they will have to endure the pain from it’s fangs for a very looong time!
Juan don’t get caught up in the nonsense, fix your mouth straight.
Who or what have they embrace that you deem wolf in sheep’s clothing? Tell us don’t keep us in limbo.
JUAN GABRIEL- you speak with such malice and hate, re examine what you just said and you Sir will see that this has no place in your blog, The Government of Guyana is playing a very dangerous game, remember what happens when you cage an animal in and don’t give it an avenue of escape,,,,,,, The Government from what I’m reading is seeking to take total control of the civil liberties of Lindeners. People in Linden need to read the recently signed wire tapping bill, I am sure that contained in this bill are statutes covering the licencing of the media to comform to the restructuring of the airwaves as to allow the Government to moniter what is transmitted, and received by the people of Guyana, specifically Linden, this is not an accident, for Fidel Castro did the same thing in Cuba. Read people READ, for knowledge is power.
As an after thought, I presume you are referencing our pardoned brother, Juan?
No wonder President Jimmy Carter is fedup with this govt and removed the Carter Center from the country.. Lindeners are also fedup with this govt …..now they are forced to watch the govt Propaganda TV station. …This kind of thing was exactly what the PPP opposed when in Opposition.
This is my belief, any political party that was form is in 50’s or the 60’s is not good for Guyana as well as the players from this era. We need to permanently Bar those parties from competing in National and Regional elections because they are all one and the same. If anyone can fine the difference between the PPP and the PNC please show me.
the govt needs to do more to help the country….they need to explain to thr people of linden why they are refused licence and under what grounds…at least they should have 2 private owned tv station in linden……
They should have as many TV and Radio stations that they can afford to have. how can we develop the private sector when such avenues for Marketing one’s product, is totally control by state.
MORE TV, YES….WILL THERE BE RESPONSIBLE BROADCASTING?……AGREE THAT AMERICA HAS LOTS OF TV STATIONS, BUT TELL ME HOW MANY OF THEM ARE FIT FOR VIEWING….YOU AND I KNOW VERY WELL THE HARM THAT TV DOES TO THE KIDS IN THE DEVELOPED COUNTRIES….LOOKS LIKE YOU PEOPLE WANT THE KIDS IN GUYANA TO BE WAYWARD, UNCONTROLLABLE,DISRESPECTFUL ETC.ETC. LIKE THOSE IN AMERICA,CANADA,USA……..THEN…..YOU WILL BLAME THE GOVT….CAN ANYONE PLEASE YOU PEOPLE AT ALL…I CAN TELL YOU,I VISIT GUYANA MORE REGULARLY THAN YOU LOT MAY THINK AND THE KIDS THERE ARE A MILLION TIMES MORE MANNERLY AND WELL BEHAVED THAT THOSE AROUND YOU..FOR YOUR INFO. THE GOVT HAS BETTER PLANS THAN MORE TV STATIONS….KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN AND YOU WILL SEE AND HEAR ABOUT THEM SOON……… ARE YOU A TRUE GUYANESE?
This is not an issue of Linden, read the lines its and issue of precedents, control, and what i like to call backwardness. The Government likes to compare itself to the PNC. I am NO supporter of the PNC same thing as PPP, but by comparing themselfves to PNC they are stuck in backwardness. The policies of the PNC could have been compared to may other countries at that time that was socialist, yet a “DEMOCRATIC” government wants to compare their ideas and policies to a socialist dictator. When they decide they will compare themselves to Caribbean countries they look for all the BAD things, for example, they would say crime is high in trinidad and Jamaica too; Or they would look for examples of misconduct and double standards in the more developed countries, Or they would challenge every single preceived negative comment rather than look at it and learn. Can they compare them selves to these places in liberalization of communications sectors media etc? and when they can they can only do so by how much laws, Acts, Bills they have which NONE don’t work. They are the first government in the world that only talks about how much billions they spend on what with little or no results in comparison to the Caribbean and the world, but with great improvement in some cases in relation to the PNC dark days of recession. Additionally, no consideration for inflation and real variables are in their talk on the billions they spend. If any government offical is to live in LINDEN and consider having to watch one channel oh boy. Why can they allow private operators if they cannot afford it and regulate them view the media monotoring folks as a first step. COMMON ON government you are slowing isolating the peole of Guyana with these austrick measures, PUT SOME THINKING INTO IT.
You are so right everything that will move the country forward seems to a motion of backwardness, politricks and pointing fingers. Laws & bills was legislate to dictate the people of this country not for the rights and the way forward for its Citizens. I am sure most of the Government have Dish TV and cable tv at there homes. Sometimes i say Guyanese are smart people but not i am seeing some of the high profile ignorance in the people we trust to move & better the country. Or perhaps they are smart files in cow AH!
SHIRLEY , I AGREE WITH YOU 100% I COULDN’T HAVE SAID IT BETTER , THE PNC AND PPP ARE NO GOOD FOR GUYANA , NOTHING WILL GET BETTER OR CHANGE UNTIL THOSE 2 PARTIES ARE BANISHED FROM THE LAND.
“How yuh goin Shirley?”
Shirley, you are correct. TT has a lot of radio stations. Oh, my favorite is Power 102 FM – Gladiator and 98.1. I enjoy listening to Sadro with Mr Chaguanas and Cocorite as the usual callers. Same politics in TT, just a higher level of tolerance.
When I see Trini bloggers I start to think about Patraj Roti (San Juan and St James) and Indal Roti (Cunupia) right away – smile.
RL
It just blows my mind to think that a Govt would be contented to have its country remain in the Middle Ages and yet boast of all its ‘achievements’.
Why is there restrictions to such a common thing as TV when all the small islands around can boast of their modern equipment?
SHAME ON YOU.SHAME ON YOU.
This is just not right! How can a ‘caring’ government deny people access to information. This is indeed an infringement on the Lindeners’ human right. Why can’t the people of Linden have the option of watching chanels other than NCN? This is just not right!!
It is a to know that the govt still have the people of linden with one tv station for more than two years .Sometimes you turn on the tv and all you see is total foolislness.Why is it that the people of linden once known as the bread basket of guyana be given more tv stations?SHAME ON YOU.SHAME ON YOU.
The government last evening defeated an opposition motion calling for wider television access in Linden, but indicated its willingness to grant new broadcast licences and re-examine long-delayed legislation.
The motion by AFC MP Sheila Holder was defeated on a vote of 31 to 24 at yesterday’s Private Members Sitting, where PPP/C MP Gail Teixeira told the National Assembly that the government is willing to withdraw from a five-year-old agreement with the main opposition PNCR and exercise its right to grant new licences.
ow all ah yall blaming de govt fuh dis but put on blinkers to see it was a five year agreement signed by your most favored pnc……so no blame dem….y not call for a little more active brains in the pnc…then things..lots of things can get done…..
evileyes, as we does sey in guyana, stop styfiling your conscience, you know if your govt was really a democratic(as you said it was) govt it have granted linden lots of tv stations, these are actions of dictatorship in the us and the country you presently reside in they are hundreds of tv stations, stay focus.
I agree with you, Evileyes: Why blame only the govt? Anyways, this is the 21st century and this does not make any sense. Give the people more TV after legislation is put in place to ensure RESPONSIBLE broadcasting.
evileyes,,,, what the Government is saying is we want control period over what you watch and what you cannot watch, when you tell me that you are willing to withdraw from an agreement five years old and EXERCISE your rights to grant new licences, all that tells me is that you want MORE control over my civil liberties, it’s that plain…..it’s like playing with a kid.
Evil, as far as I am concerned, both parties are suffering from brain drain. Their brains have gone right down the toilet drain.
Remember when 1 finger is pointing at PNC 4 is pointing at YOU the PPP supporter.
I am not a supporter of either parties. Just sick and tired of the years of oppression my fellow Guyaneses are experiencing as a result of these two parties and the people supporting them.
You know i am superised by your comment, people should blame de opposition, therefore its just a game between the PPP and PNC, when will it include the citizenry. Who ever is looking to pnc for leadership is doom. They are no different from the past nor are they different to the ppp. these parties are acting in self interest and not the interest of the citizens. So its not about blaming opposition. Governments are elected to LEAD in the interest of the people, it just so happen that the voting is race base and as such each to his ow. As a matter of fact Ministers are loyaly to party and president because they dicitate if they become a Minister, not the people they serve. Anyway, all of us can talk because we are not living in Guyana but who feels it knows it. The one great thing about an Obama victory is that Americans were will to put country first after expericencing so much problems, sadly the Guyanese CITIZENTY don’t seem to be interested in putting country first so you get the leadership you deserve. To He** with limitations to choose from protest by not voting, be an example to the world and send a message to a government that wants to isolate you. you blaming, WOULD YOU TAKE A ONE WAY TICK TO GUYANA..
Beep Beep!!
Shame on the govt, in a true democracy the freedom of info is not curtailed by the media, in a democracy private individual are allowed to own as many tv station as they like and info is not censored by the govt, all what the govt do is monitor , but in guyana the govt want to control what we watch and listen, and this only sound like a dictator to me. Give the people of linden their choice to more stations and let them look at what they want to look and not what the govt want them to look.
Are we ignoring ” that there is an agreement to freeze the grant of new licences until new broadcast legislation is in place. The agreement was part of a communiqué signed by President Bharrat Jagdeo and Opposition Leader Robert Corbin. She blamed the PNCR for holding up the process and called for it to be re-examinedThe PNCR ” statement? If the PNCR & PPP completes the ligislation then new stations with proper safeguards wiil come. NO COUNTRY ALLOWS UNSUPERVISED MEDIA OUTLETS. Get real folks