The onus is on President Ramotar to right this injustice and avoid tarnishing his reputation

Dec 10, 2012 Letters

Dear Editor,
The recent disclosure that Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop, owner of Guyana Times, was given a radio licence in preference to the ‘Media of Choice’ in Guyana -Kaieteur News, and the other independent daily -Stabroek News, is nothing short of an abomination. This decision is not right, and smells very fishy.
Earlier, I had applaud the PPP/C Administration for passing the Broadcasting Bill in Parliament, and the decision by government to grant radio licences to qualified applicants. Guyana is a growing democracy, and everything must be done to accommodate those voices of dissension, for it makes our democracy stronger, and protects the rights of our citizens.
Last January, the Guyana Media Proprietors Association -GMPA viewed the announcement of the allocation of radio licences with a “deep sense of hopefulness” but insisted that “the granting of right of Media to operate in our society must by all means be insulated from the appearance and possibility of political manoeuvrings…The transparent process must be open to public scrutiny thereby isolating it from suspicions or accusations of the imposition of political obligations which definitely impede media playing their parts in the deepening of our fragile democracy,” and suggested that, “much of the ills and unprofessional conduct and products of media outlets is directly due to the absence of a broad based Broadcast (Authority) Commission of competent professionals insulated from the day to day political manoeuvrings of the society and with powers to regulate and apply sanctions if and when necessary.”
With the ascension of Donald Ramotar as Head of State, Guyana became much more transparent in awarding contracts and opened doors to public scrutiny. Yet, more needs to be done. President Ramotar must not allow decisions like this to compromise his integrity and sense of fairness.
Both Kaieteur News and Stabroek News have often been critical of the PPP/C Administration, and sometimes justifiably so. The opinions and articles in the media may not always be fair and objective, but government red tape sometimes prevents a ‘breaking news’ from being fully authenticated, and the decision to publish is taken based on the distrust of the administration and the importance of the news item. This usually forces the government to ‘come clean’ with an appropriate response or explanation that could have been prevented.
I vividly recalled exposing Makeshwar ‘Fip’ Motilall as an opportunist who lacked the ability to build the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project access road. Yet despite the many warnings in the press, Motilall was still awarded the lucrative US$15.4 million contract without due diligence; road building equipment; knowledge and experience. Had the Jagdeo Administration listened to constructive criticism, the hydro project would have been on target with a much lower construction cost to taxpayers. And the administration would have avoided hearing those dreadful words, “I told you so” from those pessimists in the opposition.
Like it or not, the media has an important role to play in every democracy. It keeps the government in check, and that’s not a bad thing. Despite the government bashing, I firmly believe both independent media try to be objective.
As a matter of public disclosure, I am close friend of Glenn Lall, publisher of Kaieteur News, and a regular contributor to its letter column. But my relationship with Glenn does not prejudice my views here.
Both Kaieteur News and Stabroek News have been established long before the Guyana Times, with both having a much wider circulation than the latter. There can be no justification barring victimization, for Dr. ‘Bobby’ Ramroop, a personal friend of the former President, to be granted a radio licence, and deny Glenn Lall the same right.
Guyana needs to rise above the pettiness that has long eroded our values and development. Donald Ramotar is fair and just, and a President of all Guyana. I am confident he had nothing to do with this decision. But the onus is now on him to right this frightening injustice, and avoid tarnishing the reputation he has spent his entire life building.
Harry Gill

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