Freedom Radio, MTV were fined for breaching law after initial warnings -GNBA Board Chairman
The Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) on Thursday said that PPP-run Freedom Radio 91.1FM and PPP-aligned Multi Technology Vision Inc. (MTV) 14/65 were fined for breaching the Broadcasting Act after being warned. This is according to Chairman of GNBA’s Board of Directors Leslie Sobers, who at a press conference also refuted allegations by Opposition Leader Bharat Jagdeo that the GNBA was influenced by a political agenda.
The GNBA “has not and does not intend to target any broadcaster who is sympathetic to the cause of the PPP or advocates that party’s political position,” Sobers said, while explaining that the fines imposed were the result of persistent breaches of the Broadcasting Act. Nothing in the action has been challenged in court as, among other things, a breach of the entities, freedom of speech, sobers told the media that while Article 146 (1) of the Constitution proscribes the infringement of one’s freedom of expression without his consent, Article 146 (2) demonstrates that the right is not unlimited, being circumscribed by other considerations, including public order. He noted that Article 146 (2) (a) in particular, which provides that laws reasonably required for the protection of the reputation, rights and freedoms of other persons are reflected in the Broadcasting Act, and enforced by the Authority.
Sobers said that section 19 and 32 of the Act collectively establish standards and conduct which the Authority enforces. Section 19 requires broadcasters to contribute to furthering National Unity and building a harmonious society, while avoiding incitement of violence, or ethics, or cultural hostility. Section 32 requires broadcasters to air programmes which are fair and balanced in content and show a respect for truth, while always ensuring that opposing views are not misrepresented.
Freedom Radio and MTV were both sanctioned because they violated section 32 in particular, Sobers said. In fact, he said that the GNBA Monitoring Unit reported that MTV committed a total of 27 infractions between January 2019 and September 2019, while Freedom Radio committed a total a total of 26 infractions for the same period. He said that prior to the imposition of the fines, both broadcasters were called in and encouraged to refrain. It was only after the entities continued to breach the Act, that they were fined Sobers said. He said that in light of the high number of infractions, the Board of Directors started to examine when and in what manner they will engage in suspension and revocation of licences. In an effort to demonstrate that the action was non prejudicial, he shared that HBTV Channel 09 and National Television Network have been fined, while National Communication Network (NCN) and keystone ( Benschop Radio) were warned.
Source: Stabroek News
