International media body says distribution of radio licences violates media rights

Apr 21, 2013 News

While local media fraternities continue to demand answers into the “unequal distribution” of radio licences by former President Bharrat Jagdeo, international media bodies have also expressed major concerns over the ongoing issue, deeming it a violation of media rights, which, “the President ought to look into.”
Executive Director of the International Press Institute (IPI), Alison Bethel McKenzie, told Kaieteur News that the current radio licence distribution issue has angered foreign-based media organizations and has promoted widespread concern over the treatment meted out to private media houses.
IPI, which is the world’s oldest advocate for press freedom “is greatly concerned about how licences are issued, to whom and how it is regulated.” McKenzie said that foreign media colleagues are greatly concerned about the manner in which the licences were shared and the neglect of private long standing media organizations.
“We are concerned that not enough (licences) were given to independent media and the diversity of those who were chosen.” But what is adding insult to injury, McKenzie opined, was that “people feel that they are not getting a good enough reason for the distribution and how candidates were chosen.”
It was under this Ministry that the former President allocated the radio licences “to family, friends and close associates.”
The IPI head said, “There is a bigger problem, and that is the Head of State is also the Minister of Information; a President is a conflict of interest.” To this, McKenzie said that the issue needs to be immediately addressed.
She added that the radio licence matter also needs immediate attention since” in some parts of the country the only news the people receive is state news, so there is no competition and no different views because unfortunately, state media only toe the party line and don’t often get the other side of the story.” So there is no view, she said, “And that is not what journalism is about.”
McKenzie further pointed to the irony of slamming independent media houses of party trashing and unfairness, “But yet, what does the state media do?” she questioned. McKenzie however vowed to raise the licence distribution issue at a scheduled meeting with President Donald Ramotar.
McKenzie opined, “Certainly I think that the President should answer to the issue of broadcast licences as it is a great concern to local media.”
The IPI team is in Guyana advocating for the repeal of the criminal defamation code and for the enactment of the Freedom of Information Act. The team comprises of John Yearwood, head of IPI’s North American committee and World Editor of the Miami Herald; and Scott Griffin, IPI’s press freedom advisor for Latin America and the Caribbean. Guyana is the second stop in a five-country visit, lobbying for media workers rights.
The Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM) has also had its say on the ongoing licence distribution issue, calling it unfair and dangerous to the freedom of expression.
Private media in Guyana has been protesting Jagdeo’s 2011 distribution of radio licences to friends, family and party affiliates before demitting office.
Jagdeo’s party’s newspaper, The Mirror received five frequencies to broadcast across the country; a plan stakeholders say was carefully planned by Jadgeo and the ruling party to control Guyana’s airwaves.
Five frequencies were also granted to the former president’s personal friend, Dr. Ranjisinghi “Bobby” Ramroop and another five to Omkar Lochan, Permanent Secretary of Natural Resources Minister, Robert Persaud; who happens to be the nephew-in-law of the former President.
Jagdeo also granted two television cable licenses to close associates–Brian Yong and Vishok Persaud. Persaud is the son of the late former Government Parliamentarian and Agriculture Minister, Reepu Persaud, while Yong was a candidate for the ruling party during the 2011 elections. Other distributions went to party affiliates who are new to the media world, while longstanding media organizations were turned down.
Media houses are however demanding a review of the licence distributions.

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International media body says distribution of radio licences violates media rights

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