Members of the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) are considering a programming model to ensure equitable airtime for all religious groups when the still-in-the-works Inter-Religious Television (IRTV) channel begins broadcasting.
According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), IRO members, who have been meeting on the new channel, have formulated a proposed model “that would see an equitable distribution of airtime amongst the various bodies for broadcasting of their religious programmes.” It added that they have also agreed to set up a board of directors, which will comprise representatives of the various umbrella bodies.
On Sunday, GINA noted, President Bharrat Jagdeo said that IRTV would be a niche for religious groups to broadcast their messages. He was at the time speaking at the 11th International Qaseeda Competition organised by the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) at the National Cultural Centre. He said the channel would be a medium where religious messages would be more readily available, GINA added.
IRTV originated with the IRO, when President Jagdeo indicated that it would be given a licence, and that some level of funding for it would be made available. However, its conception has raised concern over the state’s involvement and its promotion of religion.
