GUYANA National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) Directors Anthony Vieira and Vic Insanally are demanding an apology and compensation from chairman of the entity Leonard Craig for recent comments they deem defamatory.Through their attorneys at the Satram and Satram law firm, the two directors said Craig’s failure to comply with their demands will result in legal proceedings being instituted against him.
Craig in a statement on Wednesday identified board members Vieira and Insanally and said allegations of corruption levelled against them will be fully investigated.
Kaieteur News on the same day had reported that Kenwin Charles, a broadcaster in Essequibo, as saying that two GNBA board members tried to force him to sell his operations to a prominent businessman.
Craig in his statement noted that if the allegations can be substantiated, it will constitute a major blow to the integrity of the members concerned.
“I will carry out a complete investigation of the facts relating to matters raised by Mr Charles, I will review the reports of the meetings, elicit a response from the members concerned and will release an official statement in the coming days,” he said.
On Friday, Vieira and Insanally through their attorneys said Charles is an unlicensed operator and a board committee had decided to meet with such operators and seek to regularise their operations.
The two directors say that the allegation raised by Charles was not brought to their attention at the last board meeting for a response and Craig’s repetition of the allegations made by Charles was malicious and calculated to bring them into public hatred, contempt and ridicule.
Through their attorneys, they added: “There is no truth in the published allegations made by Mr Charles, who is operating illegally and is in no position to sell his operation. You are directly responsible for the circulation of these false allegations which will be deemed to have originated from you.”
The law firm said their clients are entitled to damages for defamation and reputational injury caused as a direct result of Craig’s conduct.
