`We recognise that to administer any broadcast legislation, you will have to have an independent committee that would be seen as clear and impartial for it to have any credibility...' - President Bharrat Jagdeo

PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo and Opposition Leader Desmond Hoyte yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding accepting recommendations to amend broadcast regulations.

The recommendations for amendment to the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations under Section 63 of the Post and Telegraph Act, Chapter 47:01 were made by the joint committee on Radio Monopoly, Non-Partisan Boards and Broadcasting Legislation.

At the signing in the Credentials Room at the Office of the President, the Head of State and Mr. Hoyte agreed that Prime Minister Sam Hinds, who is responsible under the Act, will amend the regulations to provide for the appointment of an advisory committee on broadcasting.

The committee is to advise Mr. Hinds on compliance by television station licensees, terms and conditions of licences and recommend appropriate action in the event of failure to comply. The body will discharge other related functions.

According to the memorandum, the Prime Minister, in the execution of his power pursuant to the Act and the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations made thereunder with respect to television station licences, will act in accordance with advice from the committee.

It was also agreed that the committee shall be appointed by Mr. Hinds and comprise not less than three nor more than five persons, none of whom shall have any interest, whether directly or indirectly, in the business carried on by or on behalf of any television station licensee.

One member is to be nominated by the President, who will chair the body, one by the Opposition Leader and one by the Private Sector Commission.

The committee may also include two other members whose appointment shall be agreed by the parties.

After yesterday morning's signing, President Jagdeo told reporters that by early next week the members of the committee will be named.

He admitted that there were some problems with regulations signed by Mr. Hinds some time ago, but those have been resolved.

"As Mr. Hoyte correctly pointed out, there were some concerns when the regulations were issued by the Prime Minister and we sat and we worked on this issue. We set up a group of people represented by both parties to look into this matter" he said.

"They made some recommendations as to the way forward and we have accepted those recommendations and it shows, as Mr. Hoyte correctly pointed out, that if you work on issues - and although there may be initial differences - you can find solutions. So I think it is a success.

"And we need many more successes to consolidate the (Government-Opposition) dialogue that is going on", the President remarked.

Mr. Hoyte said the origin of the matter stemmed from information the Prime Minister received on some regulations under the Wireless and Telegraphy Act.

"...and we took this information and we ought not to have done that," he stated.

He claimed that Mr. Hinds had "promulgated the regulations which were inconsistent with the existence of the Radio Monopoly and Non-Partisan Boards Committee."

"(The) problem was how are we going to resolve what appeared to be an impasse between the two parties and we got the media committee to advise (us) and they said there is nothing really wrong with the content of the regulations because these are things that we ourselves would recommend", Mr. Hoyte said.

He added that his party, the People's National Congress/Reform, was concerned with the fact that the Prime Minister was the sole arbitrator who made the decisions to oversee whether television stations were complying with the rules and that there should have been installed an independent body to advise him with the understanding that he would accept this advice.

"...so a (proposal) was put up for this three-man advisory committee and that is what they would do. It's better than the Prime Minister pronouncing on the matters (on) which regulations to deal with...", he stated.

President Jagdeo also shared the sentiments expressed by Mr. Hoyte that in every modern society, radio and television must operate within a regulatory framework in a neutral manner.

"This is exactly our thinking on the matter too. We recognise that to administer any broadcast legislation, you will have to have an independent committee that would be seen as clear and impartial for it to have any credibility...

"So that when they make decisions (these) will be widely accepted by the public", the Head of State commented.

He explained that the reason that prompted the Prime Minister to make the earlier decision was because of "some excessives that we've had..."

Mr. Jagdeo said he hopes the "implications of the new regulations are clearly understood because they would allow for an environment within which we (can operate) and civil society, television and radio stations (to) promote the development of the country".

He pointed out that the new broadcast legislation would mean greater responsibility for media entities "because there are going to be some standards that would have to be met".

Commenting on the committees set up to deal with several issues agreed to by the Government and the Opposition, Mr. Jagdeo noted that they have very important roles to play.

"...and because we have representation from the Government and the Opposition, anything else would make these committees useless. But what happened in the case of bauxite, especially in relation to Aroaima, is that the situation changed rapidly and until now...in fact there was just one joint report that came from the committee to deal with the Aroaima issue and they recommended that we continue discussions with Aroaima with a view to trying to get them to remain", the President explained.

He described these as "stalling tactics", which, judging from the joint committee's report, were not workable because ALCOA had already indicated that it would cease operations.

"But there was a recommendation and I don't think it was practical in that situation", President Jagdeo reiterated.

United States-based bauxite firm, ALCOA last month decided to sell its shares in the local Aroaima Bauxite Company (ABC) to the Government, a manifestation of its earlier expressed intention to walk away from the ailing bauxite industry here.

This morning, the sides are to sign agreements transferring ALCOA's 50 per cent shares and assets in Aroaima to the Government.

With regards to the operations of the Linden Mining Enterprise (LINMINE) and the Berbice Mining Enterprise (BERMINE), Mr. Jagdeo said recommendations were still being awaited from the committees.

"That's why yesterday (Tuesday), we issued in our joint statement that we are still hoping to get strong recommendations, which will guide Government's policy in relation to Bermine and Linmine".

Mr. Hoyte, when asked to comment, said the situation became very complicated but agreed that the committee set up to deal with this issue was a good one, which comprised of very knowledgeable persons in the industry.

"But there were complications because of the Prime Minister's perception of the issue (of Aroaima)".

He said the committee to deal with these two burning issues will be meeting on Monday to continue work within the framework of its mandate.