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Broadcasting Authority urges TV, radio operators to steer clear of misinformation
Ahead of general and regional elections to be held on March 2, the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) is urging broadcasters to be especially vigilant during the elections period.
According to the Authority, it is cognizant of the reality that during the elections period tensions and emotions are elevated.
“Thus, it is the responsibility of broadcasters to ensure that content broadcast is reflective of the principles and core tenets outlined in the Broadcasting Act of 2011.
The Authority continues to record instances where callers make inappropriate remarks during live call-in programmes; and programme moderators fail to caution callers against inflammatory content or immediately discontinue the call.”
According to the authority, there is a need for stations to incorporate a delay mechanism to prevent the screening of inappropriate content.
“Broadcasters are reminded that they are held accountable under the Broadcasting Act and Broadcasting Licence for all content broadcast.
“GNBA has observed recently that some stations are carrying live political rallies. Notwithstanding the provision of Freedom of Expression as guaranteed by the Constitution of Guyana, together with the accepted understanding that election campaigns provide an occasion whereby political views and positions on governance are freely expressed as part of the democratic process.”
However, the authority said, utterances that are designed to or are likely to incite public clamorous behaviour, racial mistrust and misinformation should be avoided by broadcasters.
“Carrying live political meetings leaves the broadcaster exposed to broadcasting violations under the Broadcasting Act, which does not cater for the latitude of language used at live political rallies.”
The authority said that it remains optimistic that broadcasters will incorporate the necessary systems and practices at their respective stations to ensure broadcast content is effectively reviewed before screening at this sensitive period in the country.
Meanwhile, GNBA disclosed that through its Monitoring and Compliance Department, it continues to observe instances where incitement, vulgar language, inaccuracies and a lack of impartiality, fairness and balance are common features in both newscasts and political programmes.
“In addition, a lack of professionalism in the conduct of live call-in programmes is also evident.
The GNBA takes this opportunity to remind broadcasters of the following provisions in the Broadcasting Act of 2011, which prohibit the screening of the aforementioned infractions.
In fact, Section 34 (1) of the Broadcasting Act No.17 of 2011 stipulates that with every licensed service “nothing is included in its programmes which offends against good taste or decency or is likely to encourage or incite to crime or to lead to violence or threat to public order or to be offensive to public feeling.”
It also stipulates that “any news given (in whatever form) in its programmes is presented with due regard to fair and balanced commentaries and accuracy and impartiality.”
The same regulations pointed out that “due balance and fairness” must be preserved on the part of the licensee providing the service on matters of national, political or industrial controversy or relating to current public policy.
“It is the duty of every professional broadcaster to provide the public with information that would enable the electorate to make informed choices during elections. Political discussion or debates involving partisan speakers or on behalf of political parties should clearly be labelled as such.
“Race, ethnicity and/or religious beliefs as a basis for denigration of a person’s political affiliation shall not be permitted. All paid or free broadcasts in support of political parties or candidates shall be clearly identified before and after programmes.”
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