– says broadcasting authority

THE Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) has reiterated that there is no “political undertone or objective” in the issuing of notices to broadcasters who are in breach the Broadcasting Act.

Following the recent accusations from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) which claimed that the authority is hindering freedom of speech, the GNBA also stated, on the contrary, that it encourages freedom of speech and expression.

In a recent release, dated April 15, 2019, the PPP accused the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR); the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Ministry of the Presidency of colluding to arrest and charge Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo.

The alleged attempts were stated as related to the Jagdeo’s inflammatory remarks at Babu John, Port Mourant, East Berbice-Corentyne on March, 11 2019, where he called on residents to “chase” the President, prime minister and other ministers from the community when they visit.

The opposition party also accused the GNBA of working to “stifle free speech” through the powers endowed on it by the State, by issuing notices to television stations which carried Jagdeo’s “chase them out” inflammatory remarks.
The accusations have since caused all parties named to individually condemn the PPP’s statements as “gross misinformation” and “spurious”.

In a release on Thursday, the GNBA reiterated that it is cognisant of the contents of Article 146 of the Constitution which guarantee Guyanese freedom of expression including freedom of speech and to receive information, ideas and opinions.

The GNBA stated that it “continues to encourage broadcasters to exercise their freedom and rights with responsibility” and does not intend to act outside of the Broadcasting Act or related subsidiary legislation.

“GNBA states categorically that letters recently issued to broadcasters by the authority have no political undertone or objective as seems to be the perception of the Parliamentary Opposition. The Authority wishes to state unequivocally that it functions as an impartial body and executes its mandate in a lawful and professional manner,” the release stated.
Even so, the authority indicated that is holds broadcasters accountable for the content they air which is in breach of the Broadcasting Act.

“The authority holds broadcasters to a higher standard than a person calling in to the studio, during a call-in programme. Broadcasters are held accountable for the broadcast of content and any violation of the Broadcasting legislation,” the release explained.
The GNBA also clarified that notices issued to broadcasters for breaches to the Broadcasting Act are not intended, in the first instance, to lead to the closure of broadcasting stations.

It said that its mandate is to regulate, supervise and develop the sector and noted broadcasters have been improving based on the consistent actions of the authority.