Timeline

* In 1993 Anthony Vieira had applied for a radio licence but his application had never been acknowledged. He later moved to the courts challenging this.

* Vieira in 2001 was charged with operating an unauthorised radio station. However this charge was subsequently dismissed. Prior to the dismissal of the charge against Vieira, Prime Minister Hinds had disclosed that Vieira and the other aspiring radio broadcasters had to wait until the outcome of talks between then Leader of the Opposition, former President Desmond Hoyte and then President Bharrat Jagdeo.

* In 2001 the Joint Committee on Radio Monopoly and Non Partisan Boards was set up to look at proposals for broadcast legislation.

* In a landmark case in 2009, Director of the National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU) Valmikki Singh disclosed that there had been up to that time 60 applications pending for radio licences.

* In October 2009, in the case involving Vieira the Court of Appeal ruled that Government had an unlawful monopoly on the airwaves.

* Government tabled the Broadcast Bill in July 2011

* Broadcast Bill passed on July 28, 2011

* Broadcast Bill assented to in September 2011

* Former President Jagdeo gave out the radio licences days before the November 28, 2011 elections.

* Commencement order signed in August 2012 after which GNBA Board constituted