The ACB comprises three members, nominated by the President, the Leader of the Opposition and the Private Sector Commission.
Hinds, in seperate letters yesterday to the Managers of both television stations, informed them that pursuant to the provisions of the Wireless Telegraphy (Amendment) Regulations 2001, (No.3 of 2001) and the Wireless Telegraphy (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2001 (No.10 of 2001) made under the Post and Telegraph Act Chapter 47:01, the ACB "has tendered to me its advise and recommendations on the broadcasts aired on (the two television stations)".

In his letter to the Manager of CNS Channel 6, Hinds said the ACB has cited the broadcasts aired on the station on December 4, 2002 and December 11, 2002 titled "Sunrise Show" and which were hosted by Mr. Clem David.

"The ACB has advised me that the first mentioned broadcast contravenes the terms and conditions of your Wireless Telegraphy Licence for Television Broadcasting Station, Licence No.332V/12/OT/2001 and in particular, the broadcast in question constitutes an infringement of condition (a) of Appendix A of your Licence in that it is likely to incite to crime and to lead to public disorder," the Prime Minister's letter stated.

"With respect to the second mentioned broadcast, the ACB has advised me that the broadcast contravenes the terms and conditions of your Wireless Telegraphy Licence for Television Broadcasting Station Licence No.332V/12/OT/2001 and in particular, the broadcast in question constitutes an infringement of condition (a) of Appendix A of your Licence in that it is likely to encourage or incite racial hatred and to lead to public disorder," he added.

In this regard, he noted that the ACB has by letters dated December 10, 2002 and December 16, 2002, notified CNS 6 of these infringements and sought a response from the Manager of the station.

"In the above circumstances and in accordance with the provisions of the Post and Telegraph Act, Chapter 47:01 and the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations made thereunder, the Memorandum of Understanding between the President and the Leader of the Opposition dated November 7, 2001 and in accordance with the advise and recommendations tendered by the ACB, I hereby suspend your Licence for a period of 48-hours, commencing from midnight, Thursday, December 19, 2002 until midnight, Saturday, December 21, 2002. Accordingly, you are prohibited from broadcasting by or on television Station Channel 6 during that period. I further hereby give you notice that any other infringement of your Licence Terms and Conditions may result in revocation of your Licence," Hinds stated in his letter to Mr. C.N. Sharma.

A similarly worded letter was sent to the Manager of NBTV Channel 9.

In his Letter to Channel 9, Hinds stated that the ACB, pursuant to the provisions made under the Post and Telegraph Act and the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations, has tendered to him its advise and recommendations on the broadcasts aired on NBTV Channel 9 on November 6, 2002 and titled `Wake Up Guyana' and on December 11, 2002 and titled 'At Home with Roger'.

"The ACB has advised me that the first mentioned broadcast contravenes the terms and conditions of your Wireless Telegraphy Licence for Television Broadcasting Station, Licence No.332V/2/OT/2001 and in particular, the broadcast in question constitutes infringement of conditions (a) and (b) of Appendix A of your Licence in that it is likely to incite to racial hatred and you have failed to ensure that the programme was presented with due accuracy.

"With respect to the second mentioned broadcast, the ACB has advised me that the broadcast contravenes the terms and conditions of your Wireless Telegraphy Licence for Television Broadcasting Station Licence No.332V/2/OT/2001 and in particular, the broadcast in question constitutes infringement of conditions (a) and (b) of Appendix A of your Licence in that it is likely to lead to public disorder and you have failed to ensure that the programme was presented with due accuracy and impartiality," the letter stated.