PM denies knowledge of imminent plans for radio licences
Stabroek News
November 14, 2006
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds has denied any knowledge of imminent plans to grant radio licences to private operators.
According to a statement issued by the Government Information Agency (GINA), the Prime Minister, who has responsibility for broadcasting, said that while government was working towards the liberalisation of the radio sector, there have been no specific disclosures relating to the number of entities which would be operating.
His denial came after an article in the November 7 edition of the Kaieteur News, which suggested that government was on the verge of issuing three licences to private radio operators.
The Prime Minister revealed that draft legislation has been compiled and examined by government in collaboration with international consultants, for subsequent presentation to the National Assembly.
However, he denied releasing any statement with regard to the issuance of licences and said it did not emerge from his office. The newspaper has named the source of its information as a reliable government source.
Head of the National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU) Valmikki Singh also said he was unaware of a decision to issue licences.
Singh noted that his agency was a key broadcast stakeholder and would have been consulted in such an event.
According to GINA, broadcast reform which includes the liberalisation of the radio and telecommunications sector has been identified as a major priority by the administration during its current term in office.
It noted that the television sector currently enjoys an open market with more than 10 operators in Central and Greater Georgetown. Additionally, it pointed out that since there was no current broadcast legislation, operators enjoy a relatively free broadcast zone with limited restrictions from the Advisory Committee on Broadcasting (ACB).