by GNBA
Edited footage of GNBA Stakeholder Engagement with Broadcasters
https://www.facebook.com/gnbagy/videos/961248940744678/?t=121
Blog
by GNBA
Press Release
GNBA ADVISES TELEVISION BROADCASTERS TO FOLLOW GUIDELINES WHEN AIRING DEAD BODIES
The Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) is urging broadcasters to follow the Broadcasting Guidelines, specifically Section 3.2. (d), which prohibits, “The use of close-ups of faces and serious injuries of those who are dead, suffering or in distress.”
However, if the Guyana Police Force requests the assistance of a Broadcaster (s) so as to identify a dead body, a warning must be displayed on screen and read by the host, before broadcasting the image. It can be structured as, “WARINING: The following post contains graphic images that may be disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised.” However, the image aired must not exceed five seconds.
The GNBA is advising Broadcasters to communicate to the police about what kinds of images are acceptable for them to air. For instance, the face of the deceased should not be bloody and open wounds should not be shown. In general, the images should not be disturbing, graphic or offensive.
Furthermore, the GNBA is urging Broadcasters to continue acquainting themselves with the Guidelines for Broadcasters. This can be accessed on http://gnba.gov.gy/documents/guidelines-for-broad-casters/ or visit our website for more information, gnba.goy.gy
We are optimistic that with full cooperation, we will encompass the highest standards of broadcasting in Guyana.
by GNBA
Forum charts roadmap for telecoms sector
LOCAL mobile network operators, broadcasters and members of the public were sensitised about Guyana’s telecommunication sector and its plans for the future during a seminar hosted by the Public Telecommunication Ministry.The two-day seminar, which began on Tuesday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), is being hosted in collaboration with the National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU).Also present at the event were representatives of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) and the Public Utilities Commission (PUC).International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU), Dr. Andres Navarro Cadavid, a Colombian expert in spectrum management and broadcasting, is providing technical assistance to the forum.Navarro spoke to the audience on regulatory issues, spectrum management, spectrum in Guyana and worldwide, Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR) and third and fourth-generation data technology for cellular networks.
Expert in spectrum management and broadcasting, Dr Andres Navarro Cadavid
Addressing the media on the sidelines, NFMU Managing-Director Valmiki Singh, explained that the event is also aimed at informing NFMU stakeholders about their roles in improving mobile connectivity.He outlined a number of steps which will be taken subsequent to the seminars, which may include adopting advice provided by Dr. Cadavid.
Members of the audience at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) (Delano Williams photos)
“We will get to hear from members of the public in terms of what their views are, but discussions with regard to liberalisation will continue. In terms of the spectrum plans, of course we will look on the recommendations that Dr. Navarro makes to us and take them on board if they’re acceptable.“We will be working with him to discuss what those recommendations are. Depending on how significant they are or not, decisions at the ministerial level and at our level at the NFMU would be taken,” he said.Singh noted that over the years, there has been an increase in the number of persons using the Internet which, in turn, has intensified calls for faster mobile connectivity.However, the radio spectrum is a limited resource and with competing demands, he added, the country must look at how it can best legalise usage.
“As you get more bandwidths you actually demand more, so there’s an insatiable appetite for connectivity and speed and everything else, because 20 years ago the kinds of services and devices we had, it might have been inadequate, but as we keep moving on we need more and more speed,” Singh said.He added: “At the end of the day the cycle is that the mobile operators provide the service; as more users come on stream, they demand more services and as the devices improve, they actually demand more bandwidth, so the operators want more bandwidth. As more bandwidth is being demanded, the spectrum is finite, so there is always this competition. You have to make trade-offs and there is a constant cycle where it has to be reviewed periodically.”Singh elaborated that this review takes place at the World Radio Conference which convenes every three years and, there, demands are made for additional spectrums, which is later allocated to various countries.
Today, the seminar continues on the topic of “Broadcast Technologies/Platforms-Transitions and Global Trends” and will take place from 14:30hrs to 17:00hrs at the same location.
The NFMU is tasked with managing the electromagnetic frequency spectrum of Guyana, while the ITU is the United Nations (UN) specialised agency for information and communication technologies.
Source: Guyana Chronicle
by GNBA
GNBA is now an associate member of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU)
CBU 49th ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY – KINGSTON, JAMAICA – AUGUST 13-15, 2018
The President and Board of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) are pleased to invite you to the 49th Annual General Assembly (AGA) taking place at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, in Kingston, Jamaica from August 13 to 15, 2018.
The theme of this year’s Assembly is Building Resilience to Climate Change: Business, Technology and Content Options for Caribbean Media. Feature speakers include Senator The Hon. Ruel Reid, Jamaica’s Minister Of Education, Youth & Information, Secretary General of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) Ms Bernadette Lewis, Prof. Anthony Clayton, Chairman of the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica and head of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Caribbean Office, Mr. Cleveland Thomas. In addition, CARICOM Climate Change Centre (5Cs) climate change negotiator and liaison officer Mr. Carlos Fuller, will head a team of experts drawn from the private and public sectors as well as Dr Michael Taylor, head of the University of the West Indies’ Climate Studies Group.
PMA Global Conference
The CBU Assembly takes place consecutive to the biennial Global Conference of the Public Media Alliance (formerly the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association). CBU members attending the PMA Conference on Monday, August 13, 2018 will benefit from the special registration rate.
Event Schedule
As shown in the Draft Conference Schedule, this year’s CBU Assembly will include highly-relevant sessions for the entire regional media sector. On Sunday August 12, the CBU will inaugurate the Caribbean Media Screening, a showcase of member and non-member AV content, curated by Jamaica Trade and Invest. The feature speaker at the screening will be Louis Hillelson, Vice President of Sales for Reed MIDEM, organisers of MIPCOM and MIP TV, two of the largest global market-places for media content, held annually in France.
And the best of the media offerings from the region will be celebrated at the Caribbean Broadcasting Awards gala, on the evening of Tuesday, August 14, at the Courtleigh Auditorium. In addition, all delegates are invited to participate in the associated events, designed as opportunities to enjoy the rich culture and beauty of Jamaica.
Registration On-Line
With the kind support of the PMA, registration for the CBU AGA will be carried out on-line. To register, just review the Delegates’ Information Note and then click on the link – CBU AGA 2018 Registration – to go straight to an on-line form.
Official airline
The CBU is pleased to announce the renewal of its partnership with Caribbean Airlines, the official airline of the 2018 Assembly. Member and non-member delegates to the Assembly will receive a discount on return flights from August 8 to 17, 2018. The discount code will be issued to participants after on-line registration.
Conference accommodation
The main conference venue will be the Pegasus Hotel, which will host the official opening ceremony on the evening of Monday August 13, as well as the main conference sessions on August 14, and the Members’ Plenary on August 15, 2018. To access the discounted room rates, applicable from August 8 to 17, register on-line, using the link above.
Complimentary
Registered delegates will receive complimentary Wi-Fi, conference bags, coffee breaks, and lunch on conference days.
For more information about this year’s Assembly, contact the CBU Secretariat info@caribroadcastunion.org or (246)430-1007.
Source: Caribbean Broadcasting Union
by GNBA
Two More Radio Stations to Hit the Airwaves
─ Brutal Communications Incorporated of Brutal Track Records and Blackman & Sons Incorporated
─ stations given end of August to have fully established operations
─ GNBA expects “the frequencies will be properly utilised in accordance with the license.”
Two newly licensed radio stations are expected to go on air by the end of August and December 2018, respectively.
These are Brutal Communications Incorporated of Brutal Track Records and Blackman & Sons Incorporated.
During a follow-up visit by the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority’s (GNBA) Chairman, Leslie Sobers stated that stations were given until the end of July to have their operations fully established.
Chairman of the GNBA, Leslie Sobers
“We have discovered that that was a probably a little bit too short a time for them and the extended time is now by August month end.”
Sobers said the purpose of these visits is to ensure that the agencies are working towards a state of readiness and that the frequencies issued are not hoarded.
He noted that the GNBA expects “the frequencies will be properly utilised in accordance with the license.” It was noted that if it is found that a frequency is not being utilised, the GNBA “may be inclined to revoke the license and with the revocation of the license, the frequency would have to be withdrawn.”
The GNBA Chairman visited five of the six newly licensed radio stations today but was only able to meet with three of the five broadcasters.
It was noted that due to unforeseen circumstances, CNS Incorporated is set to begin broadcasting in December 2018.
Last January, the GNBA granted broadcast licenses to Brutal Communications Incorporated of Brutal Track Records, Blackman & Sons Incorporated, CNS Incorporated, Pinnacle Communications Inc, National Media and Broadcasting Company, and Two Brothers Incorporated.
Source: Department of Public Information
by GNBA
Prime News Suspends Broadcast
After broadcasting week nights for the past 18 years, the producers of Prime News announced last night that they will be suspending operations.
Current anchor Nazima Raghubir officially announced the pause in the broadcast at the end of the airing of last night’s edition of the half-hour newscast.
Producer Julia Johnson told Stabroek News that it was time to review the operations and income generation.
“It was always the dream of [the late] Frank Beckles, one of the founders, to stay on air and be that independent voice of the people,” she said, while noting that the decision to suspend the broadcast of the news programme was a tough one.
“We are in a difficult position and the low ad [advertisement] rate was not helping. We need 12 minutes of ads [per newscast] to breakeven, but we are only getting four minutes and that has put us in a difficult position,” she explained further of the producers’ decision.
Apart from low advertisement rates, she noted that televising the newscast consumed a large portion of the revenue generated.
“While TV stations pay to produce the news in other countries that is not the position here. We are paying to carry and transmit the newscast and that is taking a humongous chunk of our revenue,” she noted.
Johnson also stated that they had initially made a decision to cease broadcasting in June, but after speaking with the staff they agreed to go continue broadcasting until mid-July.
“Our staff is informed and are a part of the decisions we made. We are looking at other avenues in which we can package the news, maybe online or radio,” she explained, while adding, “We have become a family and our staff is contributing to the future decision we make.”
While Prime News, which began airing in May, 2000, has been put on hold, the producers are expecting to resume in September.
Johnson, who currently co-produces the news with Adam Harris, said the newscast was birthed after a group of workers walked off the Evening News, which was under the operations of Vieira Communications Television, then owned by Anthony (Tony) Vieira.
Prime News has largely been broadcasted on the HBTV Channel 9 from 6.30 to 7.00 pm on weekday nights.
The entity was co-funded by Beckles, Johnson, Harris and Alberta King.
Source: Stabroek News
