Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
May 09, 2015 News
“…playing dirty during crunch time”
The political opposition is deeply concerned over the government-controlled National Communications
Network (NCN)’s refusal to allow it time to air a 30-minute programme, yet is granting the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) a five-hour broadcast of its last rally.
This is according to Alliance For Change (AFC) Executive Member Cathy Hughes and Head of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)’s Communications Department, Mark Archer.
At a brief press conference held at APNU+AFC’s Queenstown headquarters yesterday, the opposition members told the media that over the last three weeks, if their advertisements are not being sabotaged, they are not being played at the times scheduled on NCN and TV Guyana, Channel 28.
Hughes said that these observations were documented by its monitors and formal complaints will be made to the observer missions present in Guyana for the monitoring of the Elections, as well as the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
“What we observed is that NCN is selecting what ads they want to play from us and they don’t play it at the time requested, and we had people monitoring our ads, and there is always some excuse from NCN. It is worrisome.
“Every party should be allowed access and the electorate should be allowed to receive all information to help them make an informed decision,” Hughes added.
The politician said that what she also found disturbing was that on Sunday last, one of the coalition’s ads which ended with “Vote for APNU+AFC, was doctored”.
Hughes reported that the ending of the tape was completely inaudible and there is no doubt in her mind that it was tampered with by NCN.
“This is totally unfair treatment and we wonder why the PPP/C is not willing to compete fairly and let the people decide,” the AFC Executive member added.
She also lambasted the Guyana Times newspaper. Hughes said that the opposition booked two full-page ads to be printed in the newspaper’s edition yesterday. But it was never done, despite the fact that the order was made since April 26. The politician said that while the coalition’s ads were evidently missing, the government had six full colour ads.
“The other issue has to do with the repeated calls we received from advertisers who are encouraged to advertise on Saturday evening during the PPP/C’S rally which will be aired live on NCN. That is totally unacceptable. There is no way the PPP/C rally can be transmitted live when taxpayers are paying to fund NCN’s operations. If PPP/C’s rally is going to be aired, then ours must as well!” Hughes emphasised
The opposition is of the opinion that the government is only out to play “dirty during crunch time.”
Hughes said, too, that Channel 69 has refused to take their ads. The APNU+AFC says it has requested a response from the TV station in writing, but they are yet to receive it.
“If NCN is saying that it is about money and they ask PPP to pay one million for airtime, we are willing to pay $1.5M, just to be facetious. But we know it is not about that.”
It is unlikely that the opposition would be granted any airtime at the last minute given that advertising arrangements at NCN have to be wrapped up by midnight.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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