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RESCIND THOSE LICENCES NOW!

Mar 18, 2016 Editorial, Features / Columnists

In terms of promises made during the last general election campaign, this government can hardly claim success, but we know not all promises can be fulfilled. However, the promise made by the current government when in opposition, to revoke the radio and television licences given to friends, relatives and party members by former President Bharrat Jagdeo during his final days in office, must be delivered. Yes, those licences must be rescinded… now!

The government does itself no good by being nebulous; it has to make a clear statement on this issue in order to maintain its credibility.

The cavalier manner in which the licences were granted by Jagdeo represents a grave injustice not only to those entities which were arbitrarily denied licences, but also to the public. Plain and simple, it was illegal for Jagdeo to give away the priceless airwaves to his friends and cohorts.

Pointing to any legalism to justify the failure of the government to fulfill its promises it made to the people during the election, is trying to pull wool over our eyes.

Whatever legal position presents itself will be dealt with swiftly. This is a matter of national importance. It will be treated as such; there will be no foot-dragging.

It is clear that the government has been delinquent by not rescinding the licences. Since being in power, there has been the admirable cleaning of Georgetown, among other visible improvements, but this will soon wane in the people’s minds if the administration does not get cracking with the major issues. It would be a political blunder if the licences are not revoked and the airwaves regularized at the earliest opportunity.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo has clarified that he is unwavering from the position that the illegal licences must be revoked, and was pellucid that the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA), “has to do their job”.

Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan has duly emphasized that the issuing of radio and television licences to friends and relatives of the PPP is unconstitutional, offensive to the people, and against any true democracy. He has unequivocally called for the revocation of the licences which he deemed as “control-freakism” by the PPP.

Nagamootoo and Ramjattan were not alone. Education Minister Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine also weighed in on the issue by maintaining that the coalition could not make promises during the election campaign, and then dilly-dally on its position when it gets into office. He is also of the opinion that the arbitrary granting of radio and television licences by Jagdeo is a serious injustice and the licences should be revoked.

In any democratic society, the government has an obligation to the people to correct any wrongdoing. But this government’s apparent pussyfooting on this issue is really troubling and truly reflects its inability to be decisive.

And what are the President’s views on the issue? Why has he remained silent on such a serious matter? His views are very important in the grand scheme of things.

It is quite clear that the government is facing a number of problems which must be solved if it is to remain relevant. Revoking the radio and television licenses is one of them.

According to highly knowledgeable and respected individuals who are au fait with the intricacies of the situation, and privy to the technical aspects, the previous administration has utilized all the prime radio, television and cable channel frequencies. And those that are available for new applicants will have a very small audience. This is no secret. It has been widely reported. The GNBA must be aware of this.

The government should condignly and unhesitatingly address wrongdoing by the former administration and not condone or treat them as peripheral in the name of political correctness.

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