GNBA’S NEWLY APPOINTED CEO PARTICIPATED AT INTER-RELIGIOUS CONSULTATION
Dr. Prudence Lewis-Bhola, Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority.
Newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority, Dr. Prudence Lewis Bhola delivered an outstanding presentation on Monday last, at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre. Her presentation was conducted under the auspices of the Prime Minister; who spearheaded a Consultative Session with stakeholders for the establishment of an Inter- Religious Television Station.
Dr. Lewis-Bhola lauded the Prime Minister’s support for such a television station and spoke extensively about broadcast standards, regulations and compliance requirements for broadcasters. She also noted the potential such a television station has for positive change, she posited that “this religious station has the potential to build and strengthen the moral fabric of the Guyanese society”
“An inter-religious television station can create an environment that fosters peace, national unity, respect among various religious denominations and encourage tolerance among our citizens; particularly, our young impressionable minds that are often influenced by the vulgarity and indecency perpetuated in certain content broadcast on National Television,” Dr. Lewis-Bhola explained.
However, stakeholders were urged to familiarize themselves with the Broadcasting Act of 2011 and were encouraged to demonstrate the requisite level of maturity, tolerance and respect for each other’s beliefs, as they function in an environment this type of television station creates.
The CEO emphasized the mandate of the GNBA to effectively regulate, supervise and develop the National Broadcasting System and provide services of superior quality and value to both the licensing process and for the dissemination of broadcasting content, in the interest of all Guyanese.
Prime Minister and First Vice-President Dr. Moses Nagamootoo who holds ministerial responsibility for Information, explained that, “religion has played a cardinal role in the development of our civilization, it has been the cornerstone for the development of society, so therefore it cannot be ignored.”
The PM further noted that “there is a dire need for radio and television stations that are culturally homogeneous. In Guyana, he stated, the freedom to practice religion is written in the constitution”. However, he warned against the discrimination of one religion against another.
Sharon Patterson, Programme Coordinator of the Ministry of Social Cohesion explained, that the establishment of an inter- religious television station would strengthen the Ministry’s efforts to foster social cohesion in Guyana.
The chairman of the Inter-Religious Organization, Pastor Ronald McGarrell will continue consultations with the various religious bodies, with the aim of fulfilling the Prime Minister’s desire for maximum inclusion of all the religious organs within our nation. The IRO is expected to provide the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority with all the relevant documents to aid in the process of acquiring a broadcast license.
