Govt may consider reviewing broadcast act – PM

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds said that government may consider reviewing the Broadcast Act, based on calls made by the opposition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and its leader, David Granger.
Hinds was at the time responding to questions posed to him on the act and government’s intention to create a free press for the purpose of social and economic development, last week. “We are always open to review on things, and I think the issue would determine how we feel about it and how the population at large feels about it,” Hinds said.

However, the prime minister was steadfast on his position that the act, as it is right now, is suitable, but noted that government is still open to other parties’ views. Asked whether government is willing to remove provisions to deal with content and other issues in broadcasting, Hinds said the current administration will look to respond to the people’s views on those issues.
He said, “We both look to reflect on what every citizen feels and we (government) will also look to lead in the direction we think we should go.” Hinds noted that with any new law, the administration which creates it would do so with its objectives in mind. The prime minister then revealed that the Broadcast Authority has been in effect since August 28 and all the members have been named. Granger, who is also leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), said recently that his party’s nomination of University of Guyana civil engineering lecturer Sherwood Lowe to the authority was prompted by the Linden crisis. “The nomination was prompted by the urgency of the Linden crisis… to ensure one of the fundamental constitutional rights of the Lindeners, the right to receive information,” Granger said.
Lowe’s nomination paved the way for the full constitution of the authority, as well as the granting of licences for private radio and television stations, particularly in Linden. Granger told Guyana Times International that the nomination was done despite the PNCR’s objection to certain sections of the Broadcast Bill. The party had objected to the legislation that allows for the establishment of the Broadcast Authority. But, according to Granger, by nominating Lowe, the party has not retracted its objection to the bill.