THE preparation of a budget which outlines the funding needed for the resuscitation of the Media Monitoring Unit (MMU) has been completed, as assured by Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Dr. Steve Surujbally.In a telephone interview yesterday, he stated that he has also written to Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon, who is also the head of GECOM as a budget agency.

“I still haven’t made contact with Dr. Luncheon, but I have written to him indicating that we are seeking funding for the MMU. I am still to discuss the matter with him,” Dr. Surujbally said.
He declined to confirm the budgeted amount needed for the MMU.

The Media Monitoring Unit was established in 2006 and the GECOM Chair underscored an earlier commitment made by Dr. Luncheon to resuscitate the Unit – a commitment that was endorsed by the three political parties based on the merits of the Act.
“GECOM has already gone a far way in resuscitating the MMU,” the GECOM Chair assured in a prior comment.
Until the MMU is fully operational, the GECOM Chairman noted that any concerns from political parties regarding breaches can be communicated to the Commission for consequent actions to be taken.
“There will be some level of monitoring until the MMU comes on stream,” he said.
The Media Monitoring Unit’s objectives include monitoring of the media and reporting on breaches of the principles enshrined in the Media Code of Conduct and norms associated with international best practices in journalism. It also encourages equity, balance and fairness in news reporting. The MMU promotes the raising of professional standards in the media with regard to reporting on political, electoral, governance, and general social issues. (By Vanessa Narine)