The Introduction of Citizen Monitoring Programme
THE CONCEPT OF CITIZEN MONITORING
With the continuing increase of licensed radio and TV stations using the national spectrum in Guyana, the GNBA will be embarking on a programme to coop listeners and viewers all across Guyana, to assist in monitoring programme content from both radio and TV programmes which are reaching them in their communities.
This Citizen Monitoring programme signals a recognition of the critical role that citizens can and should play in monitoring the numerous radio and TV stations that currently use this scarce national resource. As a response to the increase in broadcasting and cable outlets, GNBA intends, over time, to develop a corps of nationwide Citizen based Broadcast Monitors to assist in more comprehensive and effective monitoring of radio and television output. The intention is to have these media monitors drawn from different age groups, communities and even organizations across the country, under the general tutelage and guidance of the GNBA.
- Who can monitor? – anyone who is willing to volunteer by providing GNBA with basic contact info and geographical location (generally should be over 18 years old)
- What will they be monitoring for? – initially GNBA will ask our Citizen monitors to concentrate on one or two areas and these will centre around obscene, lewd and distasteful language and images featured in radio and TV programmes, including musical programmes
- Where will they be monitoring from? – hopefully from everywhere in Guyana that radio and TV programmes are broadcast
- Who will they be reporting to? – they will be reporting all offending instances to GNBA using a special form that we have already created (a sample of which you can find here)
During the month of September, through our website and special media progammes, we will begin to roll out this programme in a pilot phase and invite volunteers from all around Guyana to express their interest in participating.
