GNBA prepares to send draft regulations for Cabinet’s approval

Jun 18, 2016 News

The Board of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) continues to forge ahead with measures

GNBA’s Chairman, Leonard Craig

to regularize Guyana’s Broadcast industry. The Board is currently reviewing the draft regulations it recently received from the Attorney General’s Chamber.
Those regulations will force all existing holders of Broadcast licences to reapply. This is to be done so that the licences can become compatible with the new regulations.
Yesterday, Chairman of GNBA Board, Leonard Craig, said that the Board and the Office of the Prime Minister are simultaneously examining the draft regulations.
He said that after this process is completed, the regulations will be sent to Cabinet for “general approval.” It will then be gazetted and laid before the National Assembly.
Craig said, “I do not think that the remainder of the process will exceed two to three weeks.”
The Chairman had explained that plans previously announced by the Authority cannot be implemented unless the necessary regulations are in place.
He said that about a month ago, the Board wrote Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo informing him of the “critical” changes to be made in Broadcasting as the Board sees fit. These included proposed rate structures and mechanisms for zoning.
Craig said that the Prime Minister, finding no issues with the proposals, has since written to Attorney General, Basil Williams, communicating the need for a legal input.
The Attorney General’s Chambers have since completed the task of crafting the regulations in legal language.
If the regulations become approved by Cabinet, GNBA’s Board will then ask all broadcasters to reapply for licences that will now conform to the new regulations.
Craig indicated that on file applicants will be asked to update their applications to also confirm with the new format.
“All applications will be judged based on merit, taking everything into consideration”, said Craig.
The regulations will include mechanisms for the implementation of new commercial zoning system namely primary, secondary and tertiary zones with a special category for community stations.
Region Four is considered the Primary Zone. It 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. Broadcasters operating in that zone will pay $300,000 while Community TV Stations will pay $150,000.
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.
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.
At its press conference held about two months ago, GNBA Board told the media that it has explicitly and unanimously decided that Jagdeo illegally distributed resources “belonging to the people of Guyana” when he granted radio licences to his friends and family in 2011.
“We know that something has to be done to correct this wrong.”

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