Govt yet to consult GPA on broadcast regulations

– Press Association calls for more inclusive process

The Guyana Press Association (GPA) is the foremost representative body of media workers in Guyana, including those in broadcast media. Despite this, the GPA is yet to be consulted about the broadcast legislation being formulated.
According to GPA Executive Member Nazima Raghubir, the Association is concerned about how far formulation of broadcast regulation has progressed without any consultations with it. The Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) has been involved in the process, with the Board recently completing recommendations and providing them to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo.
The Association is of the view that regulators should be consulting with the body that has represented the local press for decades.
“We are very concerned about the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority, which has handed over some (advice) to the Prime Minister and the Guyana Press Association has not been consulted,” the veteran journalist said in a recent interview.
She stated that there were no indications of who the people consulted were, outside of the regulators themselves.
“But it is a surprise that they are handing over (recommendations) and they have not consulted the only press body that has been representing media workers in the country for 75 years.
“So, I don’t know how it is possible that they could be putting together regulations on broadcasting and not consult with the Guyana Press Association,” Raghubir added.
Prime Minister Nagamootoo, who is the Minister of Information, received the advice on the broadcasting regulations on April 24. The handing-over of the document took place at the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of the Presidency.
Nagamootoo had said that the new regulations would be taken to the National Assembly. According to sections of the media, the Prime Minister had also stated that the regulations would guide the operations of the Authority and the decisions it would make regarding broadcasters.
He also stated that he would have conducted consultations with the GNBA on drafting a subsidiary law for the regulations of the broadcasting spectrum in Guyana. According to the reports, the Prime Minister had sought the advice of the GNBA Board on what it deemed “important issues that should form the regulations”.
The PM made reference to members who were on the previous Board that had started to work on the regulations.
People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) parliamentarian Bibi Shaddick was sworn in as a board member for the GNBA on Friday by the Prime Minister. Shaddick is a former Chairperson of the GNBA and was chosen by the Opposition because of her familiarity with the Authority.
However, Shaddick’s appointment was the source of contention after the Opposition had submitted her as a candidate, because of delays. These delays were ostensibly because the Minister of Information had to get the signature of Minister of State, Joseph Harmon on documents paving the way for her appointment.
GNBA’s Board is now made up of its Chairman, Leslie Sobers; Shaddick; Dr Rovin Deodat; Scheherazade Ishoof Khan; Jocelyn Josiah; Aretha Campbell; and Joel Edmonds. Operational from February 1, this Board is expected to serve for two years.
The previous Board of Directors comprised Leonard Craig, Anthony Vieira, Vic Insanally, Abiola Wong-Inniss, Jocelyn Josiah, and Ameena Gafoor. Craig resigned on December 16, after a public fallout with other Board members.The GPA is, therefore, not reflected in the Board’s composition.