Leader of the Opposition complains to broadcast body about NCN ads

The Office of the Leader of the Opposition has written the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) demanding that it immediately sees to the withdrawal of advertisements about the budget cuts on NCN radio and television that are “offensive”.

“I would like to bring to your attention, APNU’s concerns about the contents of daily television and radio advertisements on the NCN radio and television informing the public,” the letter dated May 20, 2013 stated.

The letter was addressed to Bibi Shadick,  Chairperson of the Governing Board of the GNBA, located on Hadfield Street. It was copied to the manager of NCN, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon and Leader of the Alliance for Change, Khemraj Ramjattan.

“The specific appeal in one such advertisements to the Amerindian community … that the supply of food and medicine as well as medical evacuation in the event of emergency from the Hinterland (would be under threat) , is seeking to promote racial insecurity and animosity among other things,” said the letter.

It said that a careful perusal by the GNBS of the content of the advertisements will “no doubt justify our concerns that the author and broadcaster are in conflict with the law and liable to sanctions by the GNBS.”

“(APNU) strongly urges that the (GNBA) demands an immediate withdrawal of the offensive advertisements from NCN Television and Radio 98.1 FM, and that management of the entity be called upon to explain why stronger sanctions ought not to be imposed on them,” said the letter.