GNBA Board forges reform of Broadcast Act-Chairman

GNBA Board forges reform of Broadcast Act–Chairman

Jun 28, 2016 News

GNBA Chairman, Leonard Craig

Based on legal opinions it received from Sir Fenton Ramsahoye, the Board of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) is lobbing for a complete revamp of the Broadcasting Act. The Board is convinced that a revised Act will give it more scope to serve in the best interest of Guyana. This is according to the Board Chairman, Leonard Craig.
Craig said that the Board is finally making strides. He said that it has set in motion an action plan that will see all broadcasters having to reapply for licences to operate. That plan includes the gazetting of new regulations to govern broadcasting in Guyana.
Craig said that the regulations and a revamp of the Broadcast Act will secure a better future for Guyana’s broadcasting industry.
He said that Sir Fenton offered his opinions after carefully considering a number of issues facing the Authority.
The Chairman said that while the Board has made a decision to go ahead with both recommendations made by Ramsahoye, the reform to the Broadcast Act may be delayed for quite some time.
Giving reason as to why, Craig pointed to the fact that the Telecommunications Bill is soon set to receive the attention of the National Assembly. He said that there will be no moves to revise the Broadcast Act until that Telecommunication Bill sees a successful passage. Reason being, the Telecommunications Bill has implications for Broadcasting.
“That Bill has implications for the Broadcasting Spectrum so logically we will allow that Bill to become final before taking steps to reform the Broadcasting legislation,” said Craig.
The Chairman explained that there are several regulations that the Board wants to put in place but cannot because the current Act does not allow for such.
Currently, the Board is answerable to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo.
Craig said that if the Board has its way the new Act will make provisions for oversight from the National Assembly. He said that the Board wants it this way, “because there is popular opinion that the National Assembly would provide greater scrutiny.”

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News