“Mr Sobers” is attorney-at-law Leslie Anthony Sobers of whom I’m a great fan – which might soon seem an irony. The GNBA is the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority, a relatively new regulator established to promote and secure standards of excellence and acceptable moralistic decency in the nation’s electronic broadcasting industry.
This “authority” might seriously influence the cessation of my wholesome educational and entertaining twenty-plus-years television programme- the Guyana Cook-Up Show. (Even though I accept fully the need and role for of such a watchdog monitor.) The local Broadcast authority is very fortunate to have attorney Sobers as its chairman. The already prominent gentleman is a most versatile achiever besides just “lawyer”. As an admirer let me re-introduce him here. See if you don’t join me as a “fan”.
Nearly four decades ago I met Mr Sobers at the then Ministry of Information. (Rather, he met me.)
Soon he was Regional Information Officer. (He even met my Rastafari brother-in-law aback Mahdia.) Then Mr Sobers was PRO at the Guyana Electricity Corporation; then in banking- (GN Co-op Bank). A little later’? Admitted to the Bar. Attorney-at–law!
Next it was as a Magistrate who left the magistracy for principled reasons. The lecturer at Critchlow Labour College and U.G. I even remember him embracing and publicly defending the Church of Latter-Day Saints! Not done yet, Mr Sobers enjoyed Body- Building and rose to LT-Colonel in the Guyana People’s Militia!
He then partnered in a Law firm with attorneys who were once GDF officers—Gaskin, Moore, Harmon. Now Mr Sobers heads the local Broadcasting authority.
What stellar achievements! All-round success like those must or should, inspire younger Guyanese. So it’s a pity that I have a few concerns with his broadcast monitors.
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Moralistic overkill, the Broadcast industry
I read in a print medium, where Mr Sobers was lamenting the relative trivial, non-professional drivel delivered by too many “broadcasters” on radio. I couldn’t agree more. (And it has nothing to do with my- or his (?) age). I wonder: do his monitors still listen to what obtains on certain local broadcasts – or “programmes” after six in the evenings?
However, it came to pass that Mr Sobers’, GNBA invited CNS TV6 to discuss certain “infractions” committed by Sharma’s TV Channel over a specific period. It might border on being unethical to detail that encounter, as it seemed to be the authority indicating just what is and how it goes about its mandate. Members of a sub-committee were conciliatory as they laid out the content and unprofessional behaviour their regulations would deem violations. They invited cooperation.
As one of two invited producers/presenters, I pointed out with a hint of mirth, that some rules to GNBA’s path to wholesomeness and acceptable standards are fraught with “inconsistencies”, impracticalities and as one manager pointed out, potentially antagonistic to healthy revenue-earning by local TV stations. And even potentially adverse to local manufacturing and local products.
I’m confident that Mr Sobers’ Broadcast Authority members are professional citizens of unimpeachable integrity. That status allows them to be guardians and monitors of broadcast morality. Too much sex, blood, gore, risqué/indecency via the electronic media can indeed influence unacceptable “new norms” in our already vulnerable society. But Mr Sobers’ authority – as in its directives to CNS TV6 about “infractions” – should be cautious. Of overkill. As when a presenter should air alcoholic beverages, racy content or certain movies.
Why? Because the big technological “providers” facilitating cable and direct networks air anything all day and night long! A distinct advantage over the strictly local stations. And who says children don’t watch TV after 7:00 pm? More to come.
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Coalition-friendly hurdles – poor Bharrat
Just after the Appeal Court’s lady justices’ rulings about the 34-majority prevailed, Opposition Leader Jagdeo hosted a press conference that Friday evening.
Perhaps justifiably disappointed and depressed, Mr Jagdeo is on record as saying that he/they/PPP (?) knew that the Appeal Court would be “a hurdle” to cross. Right off I was intrigued by his choice of word “hurdle”.
Naturally, since that landmark ruling by the two learned ladies, I’ve been co-opted into numerous discussions on the issue. Naturally too fans and followers of the Coalition and His Excellency are jubilant with success. Over the entire last weekend: Coalition won the Appeal, Phagwah was great, footballers won against Belize and His Excellency has successfully completed phase one of his cancer therapy. PPP folks are either beaten, depressed or outraged and enraged. (They couldn’t even protest outside His Excellency’s presidential walls.)
But one peripheral pro-PPP gentleman put to me – dispassionately – a list of “hurdles” today’s PPP will find too high to cross! Compliments of the quiet, wily, strategic, potential-autocrat, His Excellency. Though these are the gentleman’s conclusions, Frankly Speaking, I agree with most of them. Here goes.
What did Dr Bharrat imply when he mentioned “hurdles” at the Appeal Court? Woe unto his folks if there is any perceived bias there. But wait! Take comfort Dr B: two judges were for – the CJ and Justice Rishi; two against effectively. And when AG Williams hires West Indian attorneys for millions, are they admired by the CCJ too? (2) His Excellency’s GECOM foursome will prevail! CEO Officer Lowenfield is human and also a voter. The real “hurdle” is those recruited.
The Coalition parties will do what incumbents do: campaign using tax-payers money. Poor people will welcome all on offer. (4) Public Servants and PS’s will heed the call to be loyal and professional; they have debts. (5) The doctrine of Total National Defence breeds expanded loyalty to the Brigadier-President. Former Intelligence Officer Green House Spokesman Joe will keep an eye on all protests. (6) Dr Bharrat, you see how the new “Opposition” parties are silent and hiding? (7) Your younger PPP (DNA) loyalists will want to migrate.
(8) Irfaan Ali was /is your biggest mistake and liability so far. Boy, are you so right
about “hurdles.”
Other points to ponder…
(1) New USA ambassador to GT seems indefatigable! Ms Lynch has covered miles in
two weeks.
(2) Name 100 Guyanese serving us in health, education, commerce, manufacturing,
law who are dual citizens and shouldn’t be MPs in the House.
(3) Thanks to KN “Dem Boys”/ Dr Adam (?) for introducing me to
constitutional/judicial maths!
(4) What is now meant by a majority of one?
(5) “Dem Fellas seh” that Attorney Nigel Hughes – who first rounded up to 34 –
should be an automatic choice as an Appeal Court Judge.
’Til next week!
