The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) yesterday voiced its dismay at what it termed the one-sided coverage on the national budget debates airing on the National Communications Network (NCN).
In a statement issued yesterday the party stated that budget debates aired from the National Assembly on the state-owned broadcasting network focussed exclusively on government Members of Parliament.
Responding to the concern of the party following a request by Stabroek News, Acting Chief Executive Officer of NCN,Neaz Subhan yesterday refuted the claim. In a single sentence he said, “NCN provides coverage to the opposition. That is all I am going to say.”
The party in the statement reminded that the position has been well established that the state media is not the exclusive mouth piece of the ruling party.
“The State media is obligated to also cover the views and activities of the parliamentary opposition in a fair and objective manner,” it reminded while noting that complaints from citizens of one-sided coverage testify to the fact that the ordinary Guyanese expect the management of NCN to rebuff political directives and execute its duties in a professional manner.
A scroll through NCN’s Facebook page found only recorded cuts of government Members of Parliament’s presentations for Monday and Tuesday.
As such the PNCR called on NCN to provide coverage of MPs’ speeches on both sides to reflect the seat allocation in the National Assembly starting from yesterday, and to ensure such coverage is fair in terms of programme schedule, duration, rebroadcast and relays.
NCN, the party said, should inform the public through media releases of how it intends to provide coverage.
“These legitimate demands remain valid regardless of whether NCN is providing full live coverage or selective delayed coverage,” the party posited.
