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Broadcast licence fee another defective move by Government – Tony Vieira
By Rehanna Ramsay
Former television owner, Tony Vieira, has described the recently introduced broadcast licence fee as yet another flawed move by Government, in the administration of broadcast licences.
Vieira’s remarks came amidst disclosures by chairperson of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority, (GNBA) Bibi Shadick, who revealed that Cabinet had approved a guideline that will determine the fee of each new broadcaster.
Anthony ‘Tony’ Vieira
Broadcasters are now liable to pay a fee of at least $2.5 million on an annual basis or three per cent of their gross revenue, whichever is greater.
In the case of new companies, which have been set up and applied for licences; but do not have a prior income, they too would have to pay the $2.5 million licence fee. Of the licencees which have now been approved, Shadick said that only two of them are required to pay more than $2.5 million, since a calculation of three percent of their gross income exceeds the minimum fee.
This move by Government, according to Vieira, has several shortcomings. He cited contents of the 2011 Broadcast Act. Vieira advises that Government peruse and analyse the legislation, before making decisions. He was speaking at a symposium held last Friday at the Tower Hotel, in commemoration of the 33rd death anniversary of Dr. Walter Rodney.
“The act begins by outlining that it shall be construed and applied in manner that is consistent with the freedom of expression and journalistic ethics for the production of valid information to the Guyanese public.”
In this context, Vieira referred to Article 19 of the United Nations (UN) treaty, on the International Covenant on Civil and Political rights where freedom of expression is encrypted within the human rights constitution.
“Principle one of Article 19 states that everyone has the right to freedom of expression, this includes the freedom to receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds regardless of frontiers, whether orally or in print.”
The political opposition and several independent sections of the media had labeled Government practices in the distribution and regulation of broadcast licences, “faulty and questionable.” The revelation of licence distribution by former President, Bharrat Jagdeo, to favoured sections of the media, sparked widespread protest by other private media companies and civil society.
The Broadcast Licence Act and spectrum giveaways have even drawn the attention of the diplomatic community, which called for a review of the applications.
Vieira, an experienced broadcaster, referred to the new charge as ‘ridiculous,’ since according to him, Government did not conduct an appropriate and adequate survey before arriving at the figure. Making reference to importance of freedom of speech, Vieira suggested that guidelines should be established for the setting up of a Broadcast Authority.
“It is vital for a broadcast regulatory body to function free from interference or pressure from political and economic forces. The GNBA should be an independent body with duly elected members of no major political persuasion and influence. No person of political influence should sit or manage the regulatory body.”
Vieira, a member of A Partnership for National Unity, stated that circumstances in which the members of the board are selected are also open for scrutiny. He suggested that the members be nominated by the broadcasters.
In November 2011, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds had announced to the National Assembly that former President Bharrat Jagdeo had handed out 11 new radio licences before demitting office.
Among licence giveaways were Radio Guyana Inc., owned by Jagdeo’s best friend, Dr. Ranjisinghi Ramroop and Telcor Cultural Broadcasting, which has as its directors Jagdeo’s niece Kamini Persaud and Minister Robert Persaud’s sister, Ruth Baljit.
Last week, GNBA chairperson, Bibi Shadick announced that 24 radio, cable and TV licences are ready for handout once the approved licence holders pay up the licence and the spectrum fees. These licencees, include Radio Guyana and Telcor Cultural Broadcasting.
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