Dear Editor,
During the past weekend, Channel 21 began broadcasting in Berbice. Though not really publicised or announced before, this channel is the long rumoured National Communications Network’s second channel in the county. Reliable reports suggested that Channel 21 would be coming on the air shortly to air local greetings, news, programmes and other locally- produced productions from the State media here in Berbice.
The other NCN Channel 15 would revert to 24 hours link with NCN Georgetown.
One could readily call this move by the state media a clandestine one, and one which exposes the double standard of the government of the day. To bring another state channel to this region and still deny others the rights and authority to bring other television and radio services to Berbice is a shameful and vindictive act.
The National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU) needs to come out and address this development in Berbice. The officials of NCN need to tell Berbicians and the nation why there was a need to bring a second NCN channel on stream here, when numerous applicants are being side-lined by the NFMU to set up radio and TV relay services here, like Mr CN Sharma, among others.
I feel though for the existing TV stations here in Berbice. Their advertising dollar would now be further stretched short and tougher times are ahead.
But all of this is not surprising at all. Elections are just around the corner. The more avenues for sharing propaganda and half truths on the airwaves, the better it would be; this new TV station in Berbice could not have come at a better time. Berbicians when will you ever learn?
This is not a favour the government is doing by giving you another NCN channel to watch. It’s all part of a sinister brain-washing scheme of injecting twice the propaganda now in your heads. It’s propaganda times two. This administration has become more emboldened to protect its interests. The establishment of NCN Channel 21 in Berbice has just shown the lengths it would go to use Berbicians.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address supplied)
