I support the amendments to the broadcast law

Aug 08, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
I have paid keen attention to the debates in the National Assembly concerning the amendments to the broadcast law and found it extremely difficult to comprehend the position of the opposition. All of the opposition members centered their presentation on the phrases – “Stifling Freedom of Speech,” “Stifling Freedom of Expression,” and “Stifling Press Freedom.”
The Broadcast Amendment Bill in my humble view seeks to create a level playing field and also allows for the distribution of much needed information to the Guyanese people. Media houses will now be mandated to disseminate important and factual data to the public without inciting racism, hatred and generally political one-sidedness. The hypocrisy of the opposition was quite glaring to the naked eyes since it was them when in government undermined Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Expression and Press Freedom.
I am absolutely certain that my Guyanese brothers and sisters remembered clearly when CNS Channel 6 was shut down. Chandra Narine Sharma has always and continues to be the voice of the poor and vulnerable. This man showed the upper echelons of society places and people that one would have thought never existed in Guyana. But rather than to use the good offices which the PPP held for 23 years to improve the lives of the said people CNS, was shut down. Was this Press Freedom?
In the eyes of Jagdeo, maybe it was. Another action that solidifies the point that the PPP is a hypocrite in its quest to suddenly stand up for Press Freedom, Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Speech was the ban that was placed on Gordon Mosely. Gordon who is a popular journalist was banned from entering State House, not Jagdeo’s private house but the house that Mr. Mosley’s tax dollars helped to maintain. He wasn’t banned because he acted unlawfully but simply because he did what Jagdeo didn’t like. Was this Freedom of Expression? In the eyes of Jagdeo, maybe it was.
Editor, how can we forget when private newspapers were barred from receiving Government advertisements? This particular action was indirectly an imposition on the people of this country since rather than to allow us, Guyanese the option of buying our preferred newspaper, we were forced to buy the one that government at the time liked. Was this democracy? In the eyes of Jagdeo, maybe it was.
Let’s not forget that child who lifted a finger at the passing motorcade. I learnt that the said child was hauled before the court and subsequently sentenced to imprisonment. If what I have learnt is correct then in all fairness Mr. Clement Rohee should be brought before the court of law too for he had lifted the said finger and showed the entire country and by extension the world. Was this Freedom of Expression?
In the eyes of Jagdeo, maybe it was. There are so many other cases that I can make reference, simply to reinforce my position and that is, the PPP is a hypocrite to talk and defend Freedom of Expression, Freedom of Speech and Press Freedom.
The actions of the notorious, malevolent leaders of yesteryear especially from 2006 to 2015 defiled them and therefore they have no credibility to speak on the subject matter to which I referenced. I wonder how one feels inside saying and holding a position now and when the opportunity was there to hold that said position he/she didn’t. My conscience would have bothered me terribly. I guess some of us don’t have a conscience.
Notwithstanding the above, I am so happy and proud to know that the Government of Guyana took a bold and audacious step in amending the Broadcast Law. Citizens of Guyana will now be properly informed and the dissemination of information can now be done in a more conscientious manner.
No more will Media operatives feel threatened and obligated to any political party since the amendments are beneficial to the broadcasters and citizens, not politicians. I am more elated to know that the media outlets must now carry public service advertisements for at most one hour daily. Information is a very important tool to the academic upliftment of us all and this move will have a positive feedback from all; for in various ways we will benefit.
Editor, this amendment bill is a welcomed one and if I had the power to tell the President to assent to the bill as early as yesterday I would have, but I know he will peruse it in its entirety and do the necessaries to make it law.
In closing I say, LONG LIVE PRESS FREEDOM, LONG LIVE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND LONG LIVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
Ganesh Mahipaul

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News