Guyanese gov't to get tough on media

New bill proposes content restrictions, heavy penalties for broadcasters

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC):

Guyanese television and radio stations previously suspended could find it harder to renew their licences under a draft broadcasting law, which will also set a raft of restrictions on programming and conduct.

But the decades-old government monopoly on radio broadcasting would almost certainly end if the bill is approved by the government's simple majority and receives the presidential assent.

The 57-page Broadcasting Bill, tabled by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, lays down a one-million Guyana dollar (US$4,900) fine, one year in jail and forfeiture of equipment for illegal broadcasters.

The bill is another instance of enhancing transparency in government and the promotion of freedom of expression. It shall be construed and applied in a manner consistent with the right of freedom of expression and journalistic ethics, the provision and production of quality and balanced information for the Guyanese people, Hinds said.

The law would create a Guyana National Broadcasting Authority to manage the airwaves and make recommendations to the minister about legislation or changes to existing broadcast legislation in the light of new developments in technologies, Hinds said.

Internet radio

The new law would not govern Internet radio, the prime minister told the online news service, which also operates an internet radio station.

According to the draft law, the authority will consider whether the applicant has had a licence suspended or cancelled in the past and reasons for it, whether the applicant is already in possession of a licence and whether the applicant has had a previous application rejected and the reasons for it.

I think that previous actions will be taken into account, Hinds said.

In addition to penalties for broadcasting without a licence, the authority can reduce the period of the licence, and impose a financial penalty for failing to comply with licence provisions.

If a complaint is made against a station, the licence could be suspended pending determination. The authority's decisions are subject to review on appeal by the Guyana High Court.

Content restrictions

Lawmakers are also seeking to impose new content restrictions by mandating that radio and television content be fair, balanced and accurate and, wherever possible, include first-hand information from credible documentation or official spokespersons or fully attributable eye-witnessed sources .

The reporting of news, the bill says, should be objective, wide-ranging and well-informed; and the main differing views should be given due weight in the period during which the controversy is active.

The Broadcasting Bill also intends to enforce a right to privacy, permitting intrusions only if it served a greater good .

The guidelines for issuing licences also frown on the broadcast of content about the private behaviour of persons, including children and public officials, unless there is a wider public interest.

Broadcasters will also be required to ensure that all public comment in interviews, discussions, debate and phone-in conversation should be well-mannered and courteous. Interviewees will be required to give a fair chance to fully respond to questions and interviews should not be aggressive, hectoring or rude.

The bill also mandates stations to brief contributors to live, phone-in and other programmes, as well as presenters to minimise the risk of causing offence in matters of taste, decency, language or breaking the law. Delay devices will have to installed for use on programmes that the law deems are particularly vulnerable to abuse.

During election periods, the broadcasters, by agreement with political parties and in consultation with the Guyana Elections Commission, are expected afford political parties air-time, according to the new bill.