Depoo responds to the Express editorial

Oct 21, 2011 Letters

Dear Editor,
I read your rather shrill editorial of today’s date pertaining to the four-month suspension of the broadcasting license of CNS Channel 6 in Guyana with great concern. Your editorial tells only one side of the story.
The owner of CNS Channel 6, Chandra Narine Sharma, is a colorful and controversial figure in Guyana not known for responsible journalism. His television licence was suspended on three previous occasions for various irresponsible conduct, including permitting a caller to threaten the life of the President on the air. One would think that after three suspensions Sharma would be more circumspect of what he broadcasts.
In the instant matter, in May of this year he permitted an opposition politician to promote religious discord in Guyana in a television commentary. The politician attacked Bishop Juan Edghill, the head of the independent Ethnic Relations Commission for being a government sycophant and for not doing enough for Catholics.
Bishop Edghill, a Protestant, is a highly-respected religious leader. Bishop Edghill has since sued the politician and Sharma for defamation.
In a separate course of action, the independent Advisory Committee on Broadcasting (ACB) staffed by Chairman Evan Persaud, opposition party representative Ron Case, and Private Sector Representative Norman McLean, investigated the matter. Mr. Sharma admitted that the commentary was indeed slanderous and tended to undermine religious harmony in Guyana. The ACB recommended to President Jagdeo, in his capacity as Information Minister, to immediately suspend CNS Channel’s license for eight months.
Rather than simply act on the ACB’s recommendation, President Jagdeo invited Mr. Sharma and his wife, the station’s general manager, to discuss the ACB’s findings. At the meeting, Mrs. Sharma requested a four month suspension, which was acceded to. With the announcement of general elections on November 28, President Jagdeo postponed the suspension until after the election.
Clearly, these are not the actions of a despot, as you imply. On the contrary, it would be irresponsible of President Jagdeo to ignore the ACB’s recommendation. Given Mr. Sharma’s track record there is a good case punishment as a deterrent to future transgressions.
Democracy is alive and well in Guyana. The Land of Six Peoples strives for ethnic harmony and religious tolerance. We will not permit racists and bigots to undermine these cherished values in the name of press freedom. As the cliché goes, with freedom comes responsibility.
Randy Depoo

KN Editor’s note: To say that Mrs Sharma requested the four-month suspension is being dishonest. The woman was staring at an eight-month suspension in the face. She opted for a softer penalty.
And to suggest that Bishop Juan Edghill is a highly-respected religious leader begs the identity of the source of the respect.

Latest News

Depoo responds to the Express editorial

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| April, 7th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Berbice ease past Demerara in low-scoring match

Upper Demerara suffer 8 wicket loss as Lakeram...

Joshi is the new National 2025 Women’s Chess...

Kares Engineering renews title sponsorship of One...

Harpy Eagles looking to put old rivals to bed,...

Windsor Estates reigns supreme at AmCham Golf...

Features/Columnists

Does the PNCR really want to go down this road?

The U.S. “Joining” the Commonwealth: an unreasonable expectation

Police violence – life is cheap in Linden

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Depoo responds to the Express editorial

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| April, 7th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]