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GNBA mulls amnesty for TV broadcasters, reduced fees
The Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) has announced plans to grant amnesty to all television broadcasters.
At the recently held inaugural first press conference since the new GNBA Board was appointed, Chairman, Leonard Craig said that “with regard to television, we are recommending that an amnesty be offered for all outstanding fees due to the Authority.”
Craig said that the Authority is owed $121M outstanding fees.
He also indicated that a new commercial zoning system is recommended, namely primary, secondary and tertiary zones with a special category for community stations.
Craig said that Region Four is considered the Primary Zone. This includes Georgetown and environs and will attract a $1.2M fee, yearly. Berbice, Bartica and Essequibo are considered Secondary zones and will attract a $600,000 yearly fee. The Tertiary Zones will be Linden, Lethem and Mabaruma and Broadcasters operating in that zone will only pay $300,000 while Community TV Stations will pay $150,000.
Leonard Craig
As for Radio licence fees, the GNBA has decided to retain the existing $ 2.5M for the Primary zone while operators in the Secondary Zone will have to pay $ 1.25M. Broadcasters in the Tertiary Zone will have to pay $625,000 and Community Radio Stations will pay $312,500.
The fee for each zone is 50% less than the preceding zone. Nevertheless, Craig said that the policy of 3.5% of gross income whichever is greater, will still stand.
The Chairman said that all operators who desire their signals extended to more than one Region will, on the approval of the Authority, be allowed to extend to additional zones but will be required to pay the annual fee applicable to the additional zone/s.
Recognizing the varying levels of earning potential in different areas, Craig said that the Board has placed considerable emphasis on Community broadcasting, particularly for marginalized and Hinterland areas.
Craig told the media that those decisions emerged after careful consideration of the frequency allocations in existence in the industry for the past 15 years.
He said that members of the Licensing Committee also examined the marketplace, including the annual accounts of the state-owned broadcast entity, NCN, all of which clearly indicate that income for radio exceeds television and operational expenses costs are less. As a result, the fees for television were also reduced in keeping with the ability of broadcasters to pay.
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