— as President assents to bill

LOCAL broadcasters have begun clearing their arrears with the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) with the aim of ensuring that they are compliant in preparation for possible licensing.

In August, Guyana Chronicle had reported that there was more than $140M outstanding in licensing fees for television, as well as cable and radio broadcasters, who were not in compliance as of December 31, 2016.

Those broadcasters could find themselves off-air if they fail to make the necessary payments after the Broadcast (Amendment) Bill takes effect.

Following a closed-door meeting in August, which was attended by Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, and the board of directors of the GNBA, Guyana Chronicle was informed that only six television and cable operators were compliant as of December 31, 2016 from a total of 27.

A number of radio stations were in default as well.

As of July to September 8, 2017, the number of compliant broadcasters has doubled from 6 to 12 from July 2017 to the September 8, 2017.

GNBA’s CEO, Dr. Prudence Lewis-Bhola, told Guyana Chronicle that there are 19 television operators, eight cable operators and 11 radio stations that are being monitored and licensed by the GNBA – the majority of which are in default.

“We wouldn’t name (them) but just six are compliant, with respect to payments and other documentations required for a licence,” she posited.

The CEO noted too that GNBA wrote the operators on numerous occasions with the hope that they would have paid their outstanding fees.

“We had written to broadcasters asking them to bring themselves as of December 31, 2016 in compliance, in anticipation of the board sitting and reconvene and reconstituted,” the CEO further posited.

Television and radio broadcasters will be mandated to re-apply for their licences within 30 days of the commencement of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Act, but failure to clear outstanding debts could result in GNBA rejecting their application.

Meanwhile, in a statement to the media, the Office of the Prime Minister said it has received correspondence from Sobers, who indicated that following discussions with several broadcasters, positive feedback has been received relative to the recent passage of the Broadcast (Amendment) Bill 2017.

Some broadcasters had expressed concerns about some amendments to the legislation.

However on Saturday, the Office of the Prime Minister said it was informed in the missive from the GNBA that no broadcaster “has expressed any disagreement with the sixty (60) minutes time allocation for Public Service Accouchement (PSA).”

The letter, dated September 8, 2017 and signed by the chairman of the GNBA, also stated that “the GNBA fully supports the amendments, as passed by the National Assembly in August 2017,” and that the board “has formally tabled a motion” to communicate same to the prime minister.

Meetings between the GNBA and broadcasters will continue and the prime minister has expressed satisfaction that broadcasters are being pro-active in seeking to clear their arrears as of December 2016 in an effort to ensure they are compliant in preparation for this year’s licensing.

The Broadcast (Amendment) Bill 2017 was passed in the National Assembly and has since been assented to by President David Granger.