WPA calls suspension of licences of TV stations signal act of repression
Stabroek News
December 24, 2002
The Working People’s Alliance (WPA) has condemned the suspension by Prime Minister Sam Hinds of the licences of NBTV Channel 9 and CNS Channel 6, deeming the action a “signal act of repression.”
And the party said in a release that the suspension action is not in keeping with a country that has a parliament and courts and fundamental rights as well as being a signatory to the Caribbean Charter of Civil Liberties and other international covenants.
“The bans should be lifted forthwith and the stations aggrieved may be well advised to seek legitimate remedies, the party asserted.
The WPA contends that at the very least, the “prime minister is expected to know better than to rely on advice, which has him acting in breach of natural justice ....”
Hinds, in compliance with advice from the Advisory Committee on Broadcasting (ACB), ordered the suspension of the licences of the said stations for 48 hours with effect from midnight on Thursday for several breaches. But an order nisi granted by a High Court judge on Friday temporarily reversed the suspension.
The party also accused the prime minister of acting in a manner that “reeks of vindictiveness by delivering orders after 4.30 pm when the opportunity for an immediate legal response is not there.”
The party asserted that while journalists and citizens cannot order the arrest of persons, it is and must remain their right and duty to monitor the administration for abuses or alleged abuses and to express opinion on where the evidence in a major scandal is pointing. And those who feel hurt or damaged in the process have the right to appeal to the courts, the WPA noted. Further, the party posited that it is known that the two channels have constituencies going beyond party lines and have large audiences which depend on them for expression of their views and exposure of their grievances.
