Some people, understandably, wouldn't be too upbeat with the first shot from the ACB across the bows of the seven television stations it has found to be in violation or infringement of their operating licences.

Because of the extreme excesses that have for so long been allowed on television in this country, many would be sceptical about penalties/sanctions being imposed on defaulters until they see firm action actually implemented.

No one can blame the sceptics because the TV Wild West has been spreading fast and tenaciously in this land with everyone establishing their own rules of the game in a grand show of `Anything goes'.

Several TV operators/owners have thumbed their noses at the authorities when appeals have been made to them to operate within guidelines that are the norm in the Caribbean and many other parts of the world.

Hope was born with the establishment last November of the ACB with representation from the main Opposition People's National Congress Reform and the private sector and this grew when the body was formally launched amid some fanfare earlier this year.

But the Committee found itself under harsh criticism for seeming to avoid the controversial broadcast by some TV stations of the video tape by the wanted criminal Andrew Douglas, one of the five Mash Day escapees from the Georgetown Prison still at large.

That impression did not endear the ACB to many viewers and observers and it seemed that the Wild West was set to spread even further.

It is, however, never too late to hope and we welcome the first firm step by the ACB aimed at establishing firm rules of the game.

The Committee has cited seven television stations for breaches of the terms of their broadcast licences and has recommended that serious warnings be issued against several of them.

The body was established under regulations made under the Post and Telegraph Act Chapter 47:01 and has tendered to Prime Minister Sam Hinds its advice and recommendations regarding cases of violation and infringement of the terms and conditions of the television broadcasting station licences by the seven stations.

Those named in the ACB's first such action are Channels Six, Seven, Nine, 11, 14, 18 and 28. The list includes the State-owned GTV 11 and private networks and it seems that the ACB is keeping a close watch on everyone at all times.

That's the way it should be and even though the sceptics may scoff, we think there's reason for hope.

A statement from the Office of the Prime Minister said the ACB's advice and recommendations "relate to violations and infringements of their licence conditions between 17th May and 21st, June, 2002."

It noted that the Memorandum of Understanding between President Bharrat Jagdeo and Opposition Leader, Mr. Desmond Hoyte, dated November 7, 2001 requires the Prime Minister to act in accordance with the advice and recommendations of the ACB.

The statement said Prime Minister Hinds "is implementing the advice of the ACB."