The Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) says that the letters it has recently issued to broadcasters have no political undertone or objective as seems to be the perception of the Parliamentary Opposition.
According to its press release yesterday, the GNBA also wished to clarify that notices issued to broadcasters for breaches to the Broadcasting Act are not intended in the first instance to lead to the closure of any broadcasting stations.
The Authority also stated that it functions as an impartial body and executes its mandate in a lawful and professional manner noting that its statutory mandate is to regulate, supervise and develop the sector.
GNBA emphasised that it is cognizant of the fact that Article 146 of Guyana’s Constitution guarantees Guyanese freedom of expression, which includes freedom of speech and the freedom to receive information, ideas and opinions. However, it continues to encourage broadcasters to exercise their freedom and rights with responsibility.
As such, the Authority does not intend to act outside of the Broadcasting Act and other related subsidiary legislation. But will hold broadcasters to a higher standard than say, a person calling in to the studio, during a call in programme. Broadcasters will be held accountable for the broadcast of content and any violation of the broadcasting legislation. However, the release also disclosed that broadcasters have been improving based on the consistent actions of the Authority. The GNBA took the opportunity to inform broadcasters who have been issued frequencies and licences to broadcast and have not utilised the frequencies in the past six months and who do not intend to utilise those frequencies in the next three months, that they will be up for review. The Authority intends to maintain harmonious relations with all broadcasters and urges them to function within the ambit of the law.
