Regulations will bring back ethics to airwaves – GNBA Chairman

…notes infractions will land broadcasters in hot water

The recommendations presented by the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo will, if incorporated as broadcasting regulations, effectively aid in forcing broadcasters to “clean up their act” and the airwaves along with it.

This is according to GNBA Chairman Leslie Sobers, in an interview with this publication. The former Magistrate, who took over as Chairman in February of 2017, spoke of the infractions, which he and his Board looked at while compiling the recommendations to present to the Prime Minister.

“So, we looked at the whole idea of racial incitement; vilification of religion; the corruption of public morals; the quality of broadcasting from a technical point of view; the advertising of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products at a time when children are more likely to be viewing or listening; the disparaging references to women; racial epithets.”

According to Sobers, the objective was essentially to protect the nation from mischievous broadcasts. The Attorney-at-Law stated that the entity wanted television, radio, and cable broadcasting to be done in such a manner that it would “enhance the quality of life for Guyanese”.

“Of course, we were looking at licensing too. Whether a person is fit and proper to hold a licence and if they should violate legislation, what should be the penalties, the terms, and conditions of revocation.”

Sobers said the GNBA has for years been compiling regulations. He stated that when the previous Board came to an end, it was working on recommendations to present to the Prime minister for broadcast regulations.

“That board came to an end and this new board was put in place and that advice was not complete. So this board was approached by the Prime Minister, who is the subject Minister and asked to review the advice that was given and to decide whether we want to expand.”

While responsibility for forming regulations to go with the Broadcasting Act lies with the Prime Minister, who is also the Minister of Information, Sobers explained the context for Nagamootoo’s approach to the GNBA.

“So, what we have here is the parent act, which is the Broadcasting Act. The Broadcasting Act has a provision for subsidiary legislation. So that Act says that the Minister shall make legislation to go along with the parent act.”

“And regulations would be a bit more detailed as to how broadcasting must operate in the country. So, it was with that in mind that the Prime Minister approached the Board for advice. So, that is what we gave to him (Monday).”

The GNBA’s Board comprises Sobers, Dr Rovin Deodat, Shaharazad Khan, Jocelyn Josiah, Aretha Campbell and Joel Edmonds. It became operational on February 1 and 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, 2016.

Back in September, that board appointed Dr Prudence Lewis-Bhola as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).