Abolition of racism, public disorder would be served by responsible TV stations

Abolition of racism, public disorder would be served by responsible TV stations
--Office of the Prime Minister

Guyana Chronicle
December 21, 2002

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PRIME Minister Samuel Hinds affirmed last night that he will vigorously pursue the present case against two television channels since he is convinced that the curtailment and abolition of racism and incitement to crime, public disorder and violence would be served by greater responsibility shown by television stations.

A statement from Mr Hinds’ Wight’s Lane Office last night, said that in imposing the suspension orders, the Prime Minister acted in accordance with the advice given by the Advisory Committee on Broadcasting (ACB), which comprises members nominated by the President, the Leader of the Opposition and the Private Sector Commission.

“It would be recalled that there was a widespread demand by the public for limitations to be imposed on the excesses of television programme content but it was argued that the Prime Minister should not be the one adjudicating in these matters since he could be accused of making partisan judgements. These issues were extensively discussed during the dialogue between the President and the Leader of the Opposition and the solution arrived at was embodied in the Memorandum of Understanding dated November 7, 2002 between the President and the Leader of the Opposition which provided for the enactment of the Regulations dealing with Television Programme content and which clearly enjoins the Prime Minister to act strictly in accordance with the advice of the ACB,” the statement noted.

“Further to the order of the Prime Minister to suspend the Television Broadcasting Station Licences of Channels 6 and 9 for alleged infringements of the Licence conditions, the Stations went to Court, which granted an order nisi that permitted the Stations to continue to operate until the issue was heard and finally decided by the Court,” last night’s release said.