Radio/Cable licences protests reach State House…It’s deception at its best – AFC Leader

Apr 17, 2013 News

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By Abena Rockcliffe
The continued picket demonstration carried out by private media operatives and concerned supporters, against the glaring disparity in and discriminatory manner of distribution of radio licences, was yesterday taken to State House, Main Street. The protest action attracted the support of the Alliance For Change (AFC).

AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan stated that his presence there was in solidarity with those who were denied radio licences for no decent or lawful reason.
Ramjattan labeled former President Bharrat Jagdeo’s granting of the radio licences as deceptive, since it is a violation of the agreement made between him and the then opposition leader, Hugh Desmond Hoyte.
The attorney at law outlined that Jagdeo and Hoyte had agreed that radio frequencies would have been allocated, only under a new dispensation.
The former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) executive member informed that during the tripartite budget talks, the joint Parliamentary Opposition sought, as a priority, to address the issues of the unfair distribution of radio licences, but got no favourable response from President Donald Ramotar.
According to Ramjattan, even though the radio licence issue was second on a list of 11 demands, the President unequivocally dismissed any possibilities for the distributed licences to be revoked.
An obviously peeved Ramjattan disclosed that the President’s position was backed by his two advisors: Gail Teixeira and “strongman” Dr Roger Luncheon.
Ramjattan noted that all that was said by the government at the tripartite meeting summed up to a concrete position that “They (the government) are not going to rescind anything.”
The AFC leader opined that Ramotar’s position to leave everything as it is, is simply a perpetuation of the deception that Jagdeo portrayed.

Ramjattan stated that at the meeting the President said that the licences granted were granted on meritorious grounds.  However, he noted that “We (the opposition) do not accept that explanation, that’s why I am glad this demonstration is in front his (Ramotar’s) house. But I don’t want it to get nasty.”
The political leader hinted at court action. He noted as well that the opposition plans to address the issue in the National Assembly. “We cannot condone this…We are going to constantly harangue them to revoke and redistribute those licences.”
At that point, Ramjattan restated his opinion about deception and expressed that he was proud to be part of a protest that makes a statement about the issues of deception and discrimination in Guyana.
“This thing about giving friends and favourites our national resources stinks… and it stinks to the high heavens,” Ramjattan stressed.
“We as politicians have limited powers. We can only pass motions but we still need the government for the implementation of such.  We have to stand up for what is right, but the AFC believes in non-violent and legitimate political stances.”
“Stop grabbing Guyana for your friends and family”; “Our constitutional rights are being violated”; “We demand equal rights and justice”; “This lawlessness must stop and “Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Jagdeo has overstepped his boundaries”, were some of the sentiments reflected on the placards that protesters held high.
Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall, who was again part of the protest action, reiterated that the fight will continue against the injustice perpetrated by Jagdeo.  He too emphasised that the airwaves are a national resource and radio frequencies should have been dealt equally.
“Guyana shouldn’t have a one-sided media, and we (private media operatives and concerned supporters) can’t stomach what the government is doing. This country needs independent voices and that must be clearly understood. I don’t think the people of this country really understand what is going on with respect to these

licences,” Lall said.
“This radio licence issue is not a discriminatory act against me alone, but a discriminatory act against the entire country. The private media houses that have been discriminated against will continue until (President) Donald Ramotar rectifies this issue. We will not back down. It is a very serious matter, but I am really surprised that the opposition has been taking this issue so lightly.”
Social activist and newspaper columnist Frederick Kissoon said that he noted the government’s firm position not to budge, but stated that the people will take to the streets constantly, prepared to fight the government on the issue until the end, “our job is to stay in the street and confront them.”

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