2013 Calypsos banned from airwaves, because they criticize govt. officials

Feb 23, 2013 News

Government has banned the playing of those 2013 Calypsos that poke fun at Government officials and criticize the government from the National Communication Network’s airwaves. A Government spokesman said that one calypso featured unfavourable comments of Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon.
According to Dr. Luncheon, he has not personally heard the Calypsos but was told that his presentation was subjected to unfavourable comments. In fact, it was this year’s Calypso Monarch who sang the unfavourable lyrics.
Dr. Luncheon said that he was unaware that certain calypsos were banned from the airwaves but “what I am aware of, I can digress to say, is that a rendition was interrupted.”
However, on February 20, management of the state-owned National Communication Network (NCN) informed staff via notice that “With immediate effect No 2013 Calypso must be played on air”. These calypsos were compiled for the annual Calypso Competition that is a feature of Mashramani. Many Guyanese are fond of the topical stories including politics that are transmitted through the lyrics and catchy rhythm.
According to Dr. Luncheon, following the banning of the calypsos he mounted an inquiry to find out what exactly happened. “I am getting information from my colleague Ministers and from NCN about a sequence of events that took place; that interrupted that rendition,” he added.
In light of the lyrics of the Calypso being approved by the judges he said, “We repose quite a bit of confidence in the judges…there is a code that is given to all of the Calypsonians to which one would expect them to adhere.”
Dr. Luncheon said that the judges are there to ensure that adherence takes place and it would be invidious of him to second guess the judges who apparently allowed these renditions to become part for the Calypso Competition.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News