Latest update April 25th, 2024 12:59 AM
Oct 17, 2011 Letters
Dead Editor,
The recent picketing of the State Media entity, the National Communications Network Inc. on October 10 and October 11 by members of the public and headed by activist Christopher Ram must be condemned in all respect to that entity.
Efforts by the public with political backings from opposition parties seeking to intimidate media workers through the burning of documents and vociferous picketing at a time when elections is just around the corner, is not something that should be taken lightly, given the limelight in which it is being held.
What they must understand is that the Guyana Press Association, an independent body has called for the right of journalist regardless of the entities that they work for be respected. Throughout the whole episode outside the NCN headquarters, the Press Association has remained silent. This warrants cause for concern because only recently at similar outburst by the opposition parties, the Press Association called on them to respect the rights of journalists.
The recent statements by Lance Carberry stating that NCN is operating as the propaganda arm of government should be debunked in all sectors as it warrants lack of evidence and merit in its entirety.
Where is the Press Association now in this? Have they turned a blind eye to these sentiments by a politically infatuated member of the opposition? Why have they called on President Jagdeo to apologize, haven’t they realize the statements made by Carberry as well?
The media code of conduct states that, “In the period after nomination day, the media agrees to make available an equal amount of free space and time for all political parties that have met the legal criteria for contesting national elections. This would amount to a minimum equal allocation of time/space per party of 5 minutes per week in the case of radio and TV and 200 words per week in the case of print.”
What they failed to realize is that NCN has taken the lead in that they have not awaited the day of nomination but rather has gone ahead with the offer to provide the free airtime and productions assistance within the confines of the code of conduct to which all media houses are signatories.
The measures provided in the code of conduct are all heralded by the media as successful in mitigating violence in order to facilitate free and fair elections.
The initiative undertaken by NCN is in essence a historical one, given the policy position that constitutes NCN. Also noted is that there is 17 registered political parties contesting the upcoming elections. Thus NCN is making available across the board to all 17 parties the 5 minute weekly broadcast.
Noted also, this is not the only means that these political entities can gain access to the state entity. The company has reviewed the rates for airtime for political purposes and as such they have come to a compromise and the rates have dropped by more than 50 percent in an effort to assist parties to have greater access to airtime.
This is exclusively in addition to the full coverage already given to parties. The request of APNU for an hour airtime daily is by and large very unreasonable given the context of the Media Code of Conduct and the amount of contesting parties.
As such it is not commercially feasible for APNU to be granted that concession given that other political parties would also have to be granted that concession. Insofar no other station has come on board with this initiative but NCN.
The opposition must also note that over 90 percent of NCN’s revenues are earned through commercial activity and not from the government as mentioned by the oppositions.
Jaianand Lall
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