Latest update April 20th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jul 12, 2014 News
By Gary Eleazar
Joseph Harmon of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has re-tabled the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill in the
National Assembly, which was immediately met with protestation from Government.
Harmon had initially tabled the Bill but had asked for it to be withdrawn since there were a number of errors, typographical and otherwise, and as such he wanted to re-draft it.
When it was re-tabled on Thursday last for a first reading, Government’s Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira immediately rose to the floor to indicate that the amendments have made the Bill even more problematic.
Teixeira said that from the outset, she wanted to place on record that while they are aware that the Bill will be passed given the voting strength of the Opposition, “we will not support this Bill at all.”
Teixeira was adamant that Government will not be supportive of the proposed legislation at no stage of its consideration in the House.
Head of State, Donald Ramotar has already publicly stated that he would not be assenting to any legislation, in which the Executive did not have an input.
According to Ramotar, “I am making it very clear that I will not assent to any Bill that they (Opposition) carry unless it is with the full agreement …and the full involvement of the Executive.”
Teixeira, in lamenting the amendments to the existing legislation brought by Harmon said it completely removes the way in which the Board of the Guyana National Broadcast Authority is constructed.
Under the proposal by Harmon the members of the Board have to be nominated by the Parliamentary Committee of Appointments.
Teixeira also complained of Harmon’s attempt to lob out sections of the law that deal with confidentiality.
A visibly incensed Teixeira, prior to declaring the non support of the proposals, told the House that wherever reference is made to the President and Minister, Harmon has removed them from the equation.
She questioned how it is that Parliament would be the body to be making appointments.
Harmon in response said that when dealing with broadcast arrangements, it must be treated as something that is evolving and as such consideration has to be given for 20 years down the road.
According to Harmon, the members of the Committee dealing with the Telecommunication legislation are currently experiencing a similar situation.
Harmon suggested that had government gone the route of a Committee when they had a majority before enacting the law in 2011, several of the mistakes in the legislation would not have been there.
According to Harmon the broadcast spectrum is a very important asset to the people of Guyana.
In qualifying his position on the importance of the asset, Harmon pointed to the fact that there is currently a matter before the High Court, seeking to repeal the legislation that was enacted by former President Bharrat Jagdeo.
Under the explanatory memorandum accompanying the proposed legislation, Harmon explained that the proposed amendments are informed by the provisions of the Constitution of Guyana Article 146 (1) which guarantee the freedom of expression and freedom to receive and disseminate information.
That section of the Constitution reads: “Except with his own consent, no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of expression, that is to say, freedom to hold opinions without interference, freedom to receive ideas and information without interference, freedom to communicate ideas and information without interference and freedom from interference with his correspondence.”
According to Harmon, the amendments also give effect to the report of the 2001 Hoyte/Jagdeo Joint Committee on Broadcast and State Media, the recommendations of which were ignored in sections of the substantive Bill.
Harmon notes too that the proposed amendments seek to further reduce the overarching influence of the Minister responsible for Broadcast in the appointment and functioning of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority.
Where is the BETTER MANAGEMENT/RENEGOTIATION OF THE OIL CONTRACTS you promised Jagdeo?
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