Broadcasting Authority warns non-compliant operators
The Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) has recognised 33 broadcasters in the field of cable, radio and television as the only ones compliant for 2019 and therefore authorised to broadcast. In a media release on Thursday, the Authority stated that any broadcaster which finds itself absent from the ‘compliant list’ will be deemed “illegal broadcasters” if they do not cease broadcasting.
The compliant cable broadcasters listed by the GNBA include Premium Communications Inc., E – Networks Inc., Infinity Telecommunications Inc., Go – Tech Inc., Movie Star Inc. and Northwest Television Inc. Radio broadcasters in good standing are Freedom Radio Inc., Little Rock Radio Inc., Pinnacle Com. Inc., Radio Guyana Inc., Hits & Jams Entertainment Inc., NTN – Radio Inc., I Radio Inc., CNS Radio Inc., News- Talk Guyana Inc., JREM, Keystone Solutions Inc., National Communications Network (NCN), National Media and Broadcasting Company Inc., Two Brothers Inc and Linden Wireless Communication Network Inc.
Compliant television broadcasters named were CNS Inc., Countryside Broadcasting Inc. Ch 19, Community Broadcasting Network, Dave’s Television Ch 8 Inc., Little Rock Television Inc., Pinnacle Communications Inc. Television, STVS Ch 4/21 Inc., Television Guyana Inc., GWTV Channel 2 Inc., MTV Inc., NTN Inc. and the National Communications Network (NCN). In the release, the GNBA pointed out that the Broadcasting Act 2011, Section 43 (C) stipulates that anyone who carries on a broadcasting service at the licensed location after the licence granted has been suspended, cancelled or expired, commits an offence and is liable, on summary conviction, to a fine of $1M.
Such a broadcaster is also liable to imprisonment for one year and all machinery and equipment used, which can be used for broadcasting or which is owned by or in the possession of the broadcaster, is liable to be forfeited. The agency cautioned: “The GNBA intends to take legal steps within the parameters of the law, against illegal broadcasters.”
In another release, the Authority also announced that broadcasters who have been issued frequencies and licences to broadcast and have not utilised the frequencies in the past six months and do not intend to do so within the next three months, will be up for review. Meanwhile, for those who continue to be compliant, the GNBA intends to set up a Broadcaster Award System to give recognition at a grand gala event. There, compliant broadcasters will receive trophies, plaques, monetary rewards, discount in broadcasting fees and more.
“GNBA urges non-compliant broadcasters to bring themselves in conformity with the law and to honour their obligations to the Authority. GNBA looks forward to broadcasters’ continued cooperation,” the release said.
Source: Guyana Chronicle
