By Vishani Ragobeer

LOCAL religious leaders on Monday met with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and other Government officials to discuss establishment of a television station that has been touted as a medium to promote peace, unity and tolerance in society.The consultation, held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, was held “to continue a process that has already started”, the Prime Minister has said.

The process to obtain licence and equipment to commence operations of the Inter-Religious Television Channel under the Guyana Inter-Religious Television (GIRTV) has been in the making for quite a number of years.

While he is very eager to establish this channel, the Prime Minister has said this channel must act within the confines of the Constitution, which hails Guyana as a state that is indivisible, secular, democratic, and sovereign.

“Every Guyanese has the right to believe in a religion or not,” he said, adding: “We have a plurality of beliefs and the space and accommodation for those who do not.”
According to the PM, “Religion has played a cardinal role in the development of our civilization,” and “therefore it cannot be ignored.”

Speaking on behalf of Social Cohesion Minister Amna Ally, Programme Coordinator of that ministry, Sharon Patterson, said an inter-religious television station would, through its programmes, put a high premium on encouraging social interaction, social integration, and harmony across social groups in Guyana.

“Religious diversity is not at odds with social cohesion,” she said as she pointed out that “there is a nexus between some of the basic principles of religion and cohesion.”

A “shared common value” must be the basis of this channel, Chief Executive officer of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA), Dr. Prudence Lewis-Bhola, has said. She noted that if the channel is to be instated, it must comply with the GNBA’s broadcasting standards and the Broadcasting Act of 2011, and the various religious leaders must show respect for each other.

At a World Day of Peace observance ceremony held at City Hall last September, Prime Minister Nagamootoo disclosed that he has planned to oversee establishment of this 24-hour religious channel.