Dear Editor,

In response to a letter published in your newspaper of Monday, August16, headed, ‘Why was there need for a second NCN channel In Berbice?’ I must say that many Guyanese have called me to indicate their agreement with the writer, and have urged me to make public the details of my application to transmit a television signal to Berbice.

Indeed, I must add that my most recent application requesting permission to transmit across the entire country followed a court ruling by Chief Justice Ian Chang in December 2008. In fact my proposal submitted to the authorities, requested permission to set up relay stations to be located at Long Creek on the Soesdyke High-way and Richmond Hill in Linden; Bushy Park, Mahai-chony; Fort Ordnance, Canje, and Henrietta on the Essequibo Coast.

Berbicans have now publicly stated that Channel 21 has begun to broadcast over the last weekend, and to quote the letter-writer, “Though not really publicized or announc-ed before, this channel is the long rumoured National Communications Network’s second channel in the county.” The letter-writer goes on to express concerns that Ber-bice businesses will be stretched economically with requests for advertising coming from 7 television stations. The other NCN Channel 15 would revert to the 24-hour link with NCN Georgetown.

I do agree with the writer that this move by the state is clandestine, and exposes its double standards. Since my original application in 2001, I have repeatedly requested updates on the status of my application from the relevant authorities, and am always informed that the status of the broadcast legislation does not lend itself to the approval of my application.

It is thus surprising that another television station can gain approval for the extension of its signal, and a second signal at that, since one is already in place. As the letter-writer rightly states: “To bring another state channel to this region and still deny others the right and authority to bring other television and radio services to Berbice is a shameful and vindictive act.”

But this is not surprising, since the many ways the current administration is ensuring that friends of the regime are rewarded for being loyal have been quite visible lately. With this said, I must point out that there has been talk that NTN Channel 69, is moving to Berbice to extend their signal. It is strongly suspected that the mobilizing of Channel 21 in Berbice is a part of the plan. If public pressure comes on stream regarding two NCN channels in the Ancient County, then the administration may offer to sell one. But Berbice will therefore remain vulnerable to propaganda television.

The National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU) will not respond to the accusations in these letters, but I predict that they will present a weak explanation that will wax technical, assuring that the new signal which is now being used has always been there and that NCN has now availed themselves of the opportunity to put it into use.

Well if this is so, then why is it that I am being prevented from doing the same thing? All I am asking is that I be allowed to extend my signal further to cover the Berbice community.

They deserve it; all Guyanese have the right to determine what they watch on public television and they have a right to have the choice made available to them. As has been stated before, the refusal by the administration to grant permission for the extension of my signal, is a denial of the rights of the residents of Berbice.

The operation of Channel 21 by NCN in Region 5 is clear evidence of discrimination, since there are already television networks other than NCN in the region. In addition, the broadcast of Ch 21 clearly indicates that government had licensed the network to operate an additional channel in that region, and continues to stall my request to operate in that same region.

Yours faithfully,
CN Sharma