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FOI, Broadcast legislation may not be passed under this admin

Jun 23, 2011 News

– Parliamentary recess, elections may have final say

Government has signaled its intentions to table in Parliament next month, a highly-anticipated piece of legislation that could open the possibility of more radio and television stations in Guyana.
This time, says government spokesman, Dr. Roger Luncheon, there is a very “strong” likelihood of the Bill being tabled in July.
The Broadcast Bill will be seen by many, especially in the media world, as an opportunity for expansion.
Government has not been granting any operating licences for television stations and radios for the longest while, claiming it was awaiting the passage of the Bill in Parliament.
Last week, another piece of legislation, the Access to Information Bill, which allows for greater access by media and the public to government contracts and other critical information, was tabled during a sitting of the National Assembly.
But the tabling of the two Bills may not necessarily see any enactment at this time…or during this present sitting of the National Assembly. Parliament is expected to go into recess by mid-August and resume in October.
However, with national elections expected as early as October, there may now be uncertainty.
With a number of bills still to be debated and passed, the future looks even murkier.
Questioned about the timing, Dr. Luncheon made it clear that his administration, if it had the powers, would make it happen.
“Were it left to the governing party…they would. That is the most I can say now. Would it not be a travesty were we to be tabling Bills, knowing that they are unlikely to be concluded?”
The Cabinet Secretary, during his weekly press briefing yesterday at the Office of the President, believed that the bills will be easily passed in the National Assembly since they were “demanded” to be laid by all the stakeholders.
“That has been resoundingly called for by all parties. I would be aghast were we to be given another example of a betrayal.”
The Broadcast Bill had gained heightened significance back in December 2008, when Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang ruled that the constitutional rights of residents of Region Ten were infringed.
That case was filed on the basis that Government was not granting any applications for the town to have an independent radio or television.
The application of Chandra Narine Sharma (CNS) to extend the signals of his television network to Region 10 should be allowed, Chang has ruled.
The matter was brought by Lindeners, Norman Chapman and Mortimer Yearwood.

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