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Chairman of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) Leslie Sobers on Tuesday said four of the identified  broadcasters for 2018 licences, have failed to show readiness.

Mr. Sobers explained that the six radio broadcasters were selected from a list of 32 applicants. The six during the period of assessment had complied with the requisite criteria and indicated willingness to proceed.

In fact, he said several of the new, selected broadcasters were anxious to be granted the licences. “Some of them have been calling me, implying that I have been moving slowly,” said the GNBA chair, who explained that when he called back, the said anxious persons were not ready.

He stated that four of the six broadcasters identified are “still lacking in a state of readiness,” while stressing that he will not distribute licences unless applicants are completely ready. Several situations could result in the lack of readiness, Sobers explained, noting that the situation varies from person to person.

One broadcaster may have had outstanding spectrum fees for a previous year, while another may have had some other form of indebtedness to the Broadcast Authority.
“It would be improper to give a licence to someone who owes,” Sobers stated, while disclosing that all of the applicants were not new broadcasters as some are television broadcasters applying for radio licences for the first time.

In the case of entirely new applicants, they would not have any indebtedness, but may have difficulties paying spectrum fees. The six applicants who were initially selected applied for radio licences within the primary zone, while the other applicants applied for licences in varying zones.

“I am not playing as chairman; I have a job to do. The GNBA is a revenue-earning entity. It does not receive a subvention from the government; it has to make its own money. If any broadcaster is filibustering… then they’d be interfering with the cash flow. I can’t sit around and have that,” declared Sobers.

As a result of this new development, Sobers said he will have to return to the overarching list of applicants and restart the selection process. Those selected would have to meet all criteria set by the GNBA and demonstrate readiness before being granted.
Last week when contacted, the GNBA chair told the Guyana Chronicle that the unnamed six broadcasters will be the first set of new licensees under the amended broadcasting legislation. During that interview, he said it would be inappropriate to disclose the identities of the new licensees, but noted that the six names were submitted as being compliant with all requirements.

“The six have satisfied all requirements and they were presented to the board and the board accepted and ratified– these will move ahead as [the] first set of new broadcasters– they will be licensed for 2018,” he said, noting that between now and when the licences are issued, the selected persons will be “putting themselves in order.”
However, notwithstanding their selection for the licences, Sobers noted that the GNBA will continue to peruse their documentation to ensure that nothing is left out.
“We have to run the paperwork again to make sure they have fully completed everything,” he stated.

Recipients of 2016 broadcasting licences

The GNBA earlier this month had issued radio licences to five companies which were deemed “fully compliant” for 2016. Among the companies that received radio licences were the National Television Network (NTN), I Radio Incorporated, the National Communications Network (NCN), Wireless Connections and Radio Guyana Incorporated.