I read in one of the newspapers recently about the Opposition Leader Mr. Granger’s complaint about NCN. Mr. Granger is trying to convince this nation that the opposition is not allowed access to NCN by this government.
Mr. Editor, while I am in no way speaking

on the behalf of NCN, I feel compelled to respond to this blatant act to mislead the Guyanese public.
In April of 2006 I created a programme called Afternoon Delight which was aired on VOG from Monday to Friday from 16:30 to 17:30 hours.
On this programme guests were invited to deal with current affairs and social issues facing our nation. I have interviewed many persons both live or recorded, from the former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Mr. Patrick Manning to primary school kids.
Mr. Hamilton Green, a former Prime Minister from the same party Mr. Granger now leads, was a guest on my programme a record nine times. No one from the government or the PPP has ever been on my programme more than the current Mayor of Georgetown, Mr. Green.
Only one organisation came close and it was an organisation promoting abstinence. They were on my programme six times.
It is interesting to note Mr. Editor that Mr. Green is a leading member of Mr. Granger’s party. I wish to state categorically that during my time doing Afternoon Delight I have never had an issue with my superiors about Mr. Green’s frequent appearance on my show, even though he was always critical of the government and by extension the PPP.
Mr. Green used my programme to verbally attack former President Bharrat Jagdeo on more than one occasion. He was never censored and was always free to express himself on any issue he saw fit. The same is true for any other person who graced Afternoon Delight as a guest. I also wish to note that during the election period of 2006 I invited the then Opposition Leader Mr. Robert Corbin twice, but he never accepted my invitation nor did he send a representative.  This would have given the Opposition Leader and PNCR an opportunity to push forward their ideas freely and without interference on the nation’s radio.
Now Mr. Editor, please allow me to fast forward to 2012. NCN has decided to host debates on corruption, which have just concluded. I was told that invitations were sent out to APNU and the AFC for them to participate freely in this debate. Making space to accommodate the other parties tells me that this is access granted. It is my opinion that  APNU withdrew from the debates for two reasons: one is that they have no evidence to highlight any corrupt practices by this government and the other being that they have to have reasons why they cut NCN’s budget. I see this as a careful political strategy by APNU to surrender access to this state media because to do otherwise would run counter to their propaganda on the budget cuts.