…accessibility for PWD limited compared to other countries
The Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) has recorded 165 infringements from television and radio broadcasters over the past five months.
This was revealed at a stakeholders’ meeting held on Friday last, thus resulting in a significant number of scrutinised cases for 2019.
GNBA Chairman Leslie Sobers
These include profanities, inaccurate reporting, graphic details, substance abuse or irresponsible hosting during general audience time.
In January, the figures showed that there were 39 infringements, followed by 40 in February and 49 in March. There was a decline in this trajectory with just 22 in April.
While the statistics for May are yet to be analysed, it is estimated to be about 15 or 20.
Chairman of the GNBA, Leslie Sobers posited that while the Authority is working with stakeholders to reduce these numbers, they are also encouraging local content.
“The collective effort and common vision has to embrace the desire to provide a service that enhances order and the public good. It is time that we move away from the old model of being profit orientated without invigorating local talent, local conversations and young enthusiasm,” he explained.
During last year’s ITU Accessible America forum, The GNBA Head revealed that provisions for Persons with Disabilities (PWD) were limited in Guyana when compared to other countries. For this, closed captioning was introduced by some broadcasts.
“It was decided that we would approach our broadcasters, encouraging them to run closed captioning on some of their programmes, especially the news and perhaps, have a signing at one major newscast per day to facilitate persons with hearing impairment,” the Chairman told stakeholders.
Provisions are made in Chapter 36:05 of the PWD Act for these systems to be implemented. There is also a penalty for non-compliance.
Presently, there are some 19 registered television stations and 20 radio stations, a majority of which are easily accessible. Going forward, the entity has signalled intentions to establish fines for infringements. However, these figures are yet to be finalised.
Adding to that, broadcasters who display a decent track record with full compliance will be given recognition by the agency with added benefits.
“We intend to publicly recognise broadcasters who demonstrate that desired level of consciousness and are fully compliant. Such recognition will not only be applauded but will have real value for the recipient”, Sobers stated.
Throughout these engagements, broadcasters are reminded of their requirements when disseminating information to the public. On Friday, they were also educated on self-monitoring. When airing live shows, these agencies are required to implement a delayed time lapse to cater for any interference, which may be deemed as an infringement.
Just a few days ago, the Authority informed that errant broadcasters will soon be hauled before the courts. Persons would not be placed before the courts for broadcast content but rather for broadcasting illegally since many of them have not renewed their licenses.
“Those broadcasters who never had a broadcasting licence and are broadcasting, whose licences have expired and have not renewed their licences but are still broadcasting and those who owe the Authority millions of dollars and are refusing or failing to pay, are the ones that will be brought before the court. GNBA continues to function as a professional entity and within the parameters of the broadcasting legislation,” the GNBA said.
The GNBA is constitutionally vested with the authority to monitor the content that is aired or transmitted to the general public and also has the power to penalise broadcasters who are in breach of these requirements.
