THE Government yesterday formally issued television licences to 15 local operators in what Prime Minister Sam Hinds said was a step towards regularising and normalising television broadcasting.
About two or three more are expected to be approved soon, he said after issuing the licences at his office in Georgetown.
CNS Channel 6 came up for special mention as the Prime Minister noted that operator Mr. Chandranarine Sharma has probably been the best example of television broadcasting with Guyanese features.
He said he was struck by the efforts of the TV station which had introduced, among others, birth anniversary greetings, death and in memoriam announcements and local reports with the most extensive coverage of parliamentary debates.
Mr. Anthony Vieira, of VCT 28 and Mr. Rex McKay of WRHM 7 were also acknowledged and commended for their "pioneering" work.
Those who received licences are GWTV 2, STVS 4 (two), CNS 6, NBTV 9, GTV 11, RBS 13, MTV 65, NTN 69, MBC 93, DTV 8 in Berbice, RCA 8 in Essequibo, LRTVS 68, Vision Channel 102 and CCB in Corriverton.
Several stations did not apply for licences including VCT 28, WRHM 7, and HGP 16 but the Prime Minister declined to say whether sanctions would be imposed on those who are not licensed.
He noted that TV came to Guyana in a manner that exemplified the people's initiative and ingenuity, although in a somewhat informal and disorderly manner.
Earlier thoughts of television in Guyana were in the direction of creating a mini or micro BBC with cost implications which the society could not easily carry, Mr. Hinds said.
He said yesterday's signing and issuing of the television broadcasting licences was the result of a long process to bring regularisation to the TV sector and came more particularly at the end of long, broad discussions towards some accepted scheduling of fees and regulations with respect to content.
He referred to the Memorandum of Understanding signed by President Bharrat Jagdeo and Opposition Leader, Mr. Desmond Hoyte which he said cleared the way for the first tentative interim steps towards judgement on content from a group that has support from leading players in society.
Television operators who received licences yesterday are subject to several terms and conditions.
Among other conditions, they must ensure that nothing is included in programmes which offends against good taste or decency or is likely to encourage or incite racial hatred or incite to crime or lead to public disorder or to be offensive to public feeling.
They are expected to act reasonably and in good faith to ensure that any views given (in whatever form) in the programmes of the licensee are presented with due accuracy and impartiality, and that due impartiality is preserved by the person providing the service in regard to matters of political or industrial controversy or relating to public policy.
They must also ensure that due responsibility is exercised with respect to the content of any religious programmes of the licensee and that, in particular, any such programme does not involve any abusive or derogatory treatment of the religious views and beliefs of persons belonging to a particular religion or religious denomination.
Their programmes should also be of the highest standard and they should provide reasonable opportunity for the public to be exposed to the expression of differing views on matters of public interest.