The main opposition PNCR yesterday called for government to give immediate approval to existing applications for the extension of broadcast signals to Region 10, in keeping with a judgement on the issue.
Speaking at the party’s weekly press briefing yesterday, PNCR Vice-Chairperson Basil Williams said the Government cannot continue to penalise the people of Linden and freeze applications by existing television stations to expand the reach of their signals, while allowing NCN channel 11 to do so. Williams noted that HBTV 9, VCT 28 and CNS 6 all applied to extend their signals to broadcast to Linden but were denied access by the government. At the same time, he charged that state-run NCN was “used as a PPP propaganda medium” in the mining community. “The PNCR has strongly advocated the extension of broadcast signals to all parts of the country including Linden, as part of the necessary exercise of opening up the information sector,” Williams said, reading from a party statement.
Last week, Justice Chang ruled that government has a constitutional duty to deal with applications efficiently, although no applicant has an absolute right to a licence to operate a radio or TV station. Chang held that Region 10 residents had been hindered in their enjoyment of freedom of expression under Article 146 and he declared that upon the furnishing of the relevant information by the applicants in the instant case for licences the government should “forthwith” consider their applications under the current law.
The government, through the attorney general, has since indicated its intention to appeal the decision.
Williams, however, said the decision to appeal is a further reflection of government’s desire to make Guyana a repressive state. The right of the citizen to have access to information is basic in any democracy, he said, while observing that the Bharrat Jagdeo administration fails to understand the necessity for citizens to have access to a wide variety of information so that they can make important decisions that impact their lives. He contended that the government has been “dragging its feet” on putting proper broadcast legislation in place and opined that it is time for it to get its act together.
According to Williams, the government is bound to abide by the decision, particularly if it maintains that the country is guided by the rule of law. “We have the expectation that the rule of law will be followed,” he said.
