Drafts of the recently completed ill, a copy of which has already been sent to Opposition Leader, Robert Corbin, are now being circulated as a period of consultation is scheduled to start.

Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon told reporters at his weekly press briefing yesterday that this was consistent with an undertaking outlined in the May 6 communiqué signed by President Bharrat Jagdeo and Corbin.

He said the draft bill would also be publicised in the newspapers and placed on the website of the Government Information Agency (GINA).

After the planned consultative period, expected to be six weeks, Prime Minister Sam Hinds will introduce the bill to Parliament, subject to any amendments included as a result of the consultations.

“It is the government’s intention to have the bill presented to parliament after the recess and therefore minimally there would be at least four weeks of consultations,” Luncheon said.

As an interim measure, the parties had agreed to the establishment of an Advisory Committee on Broadcasting which seeks to ensure conformity to certain standards.