From the Diaspora…KAIETEUR NEWS STILL BEING CONSIDERED FOR RADIO LICENCE

May 19, 2013 News

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By Ralph Seeram
I walked into his office and my first observation was that his desk was cluttered with files and other documents; the President was busy typing away at his laptop computer, asking me to hold on for a minute.
My thoughts went back to a photograph carried by a section of the media some months ago showing President Donald Ramotar’s desk clear of any documents and suggested that the lack of documents showed that he hardly does any work. That was an example of the kind of misconception of the President that was created by opposition forces.
Given the number of documents not only on his desks but stacked in cabinets behind him, the President has to be working overtime to get through those documents. During my exclusive interview with President Donald Ramotar in his office he offered me to read some of those documents like on the Marriott Hotel, the new Cheddi Jagan Airport, to prove that these were not secret documents and were accessible to the press for them to look at if they had asked. Instead they chose to criticize the projects without knowing all the facts.
My only regret was that I did not take up his offer on the Marriott contract. I might have discovered who the secret investors were. I guess I was thrown off because those investors’ names will be released very soon.
I will come to a verbatim conversation on the radio licences and why Kaieteur news can still receive a Radio Licence. During our conversation, the President disclosed that a Diaspora Desk has been established in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This was in response to my questions of what the Diaspora can “bring to the table” in terms of resources and skills in an effort to assist in the development of Guyana.
A website devoted to the Diaspora is being set up within the Ministry. The Foreign Ministry is in the process of accumulating information on Guyanese groups in various countries. Some of the plans for the web site include listing the needs or aids of organization and individuals locally. This way those in the Diaspora can see the needs of the Guyanese society and respond with their assistance.
President Ramotar also said that the negotiations have started with various stakeholders with a view to constructing a bridge across the Corentyne River linking Guyana to Suriname. Asked about the possibility of reducing the fees on the Berbice Bridge, he explained that the fees for cars are no different than when a car and five passengers crossed the New Amsterdam Ferry.
He also explained that his Government has addressed the concerns of the fares and inconvenience to school children by reintroducing the ferry service at an enormous subsidy to assist children from West Coast Berbice area who attend schools in New Amsterdam.
On the question of the Radio licences the President had a different perspective on whose right to freedom of expression was being suppressed. The Opposition and sections of the local media have accused the PPP administration of attempting to control the media by awarding the licences to friends of the PPP. President Donald Ramotar said that licences were not awarded based on political views of the individuals.
He said that “with the exception of one individual he does not know the political views of the other awardees of the licence”. Noting that some sections of the press accused the government of making the awards based in race Mr. Ramotar pointed out that “of the nine licences granted, four went to Indo Guyanese, four to Afro Guyanese and one to a Portuguese Guyanese”.
On the question of the PPP getting a radio licence he said, “I want to know if the PPP members do not earn the right to a living within the country?” On the contrary the President said it was the Opposition that wants to deny the Government the right to free expression by cutting the budgets of the Chronicle and the Government-owned Television channel.
On the question of if Kaieteur News or Stabroek News can still get a Radio licence here is the transcript of the interview.
Ralph: “Any possibility that Kaieteur News or Stabroek News could be considered for a Radio Licence?”
President: “As I said we have put (the issue) in the hands of an authority (Broadcast Authority) to look at these matters, to deal with some of these issues; that’s where it is.”
Ralph: ‘So these entities can go to…”
President: “Yes they have to apply. There is a law now and the law sets forth the process that has to be gone through.”
Ralph” So the point is they could still get a licence if they go through the system and all things being equal and they qualify.”
President “Sure that is what we set up the Authority for”
Ralph: “In other words they have not really been denied a licence.”
President: ‘No”
Ralph: “You have not sent a letter to them saying they have been denied a licence’
President: “No, I haven’t”
Ralph: “The way it has been put in the media is that these entities have been denied.”
President: “Not to my knowledge; there has been no disqualification NO ONE HAS BEEN DISQUALIFIED”.
Mr. Ramotar was critical of sections of the local media including this newspaper that have not been carrying out their responsibilities “The media is a very powerful entity…and it has to have some level of responsibility within a society…it cannot continuously be spreading lies and half truths and refusing to publish the views of those (Government) they are attacking.”
Finally I questioned the President on what kind of legacy he would like leave when he demits office. Mr. Ramotar was very humble about this stating that he is not looking for accolades or structures or anything to be named after him.
“When I leave office, I would like to know that I have left the country in a much better shape than when I took office.”

Ralph Seeram can be reached at email: [email protected]

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