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| A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has signaled its intention to propose several amendments to the Broadcast Act # 13 of 2011 as the party contends that in its current form the Act is inadequate. That announcement comes on the heels of APNU’s non-support of the significantly hiked licence fee.The party is of the opinion that the Act allows the government to “take too much control” over the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) which was intended to be an independent body, free from government influences.The Broadcast Act # 13 of 2011 gives the President the power to appoint six of the seven members of the GNBA without consultation with the leader of the Opposition. APNU believes that this permits a level of arbitrariness and interference by government, hence the party intends to soon table significant amendments to the Act.The Party also indicated that it has been advised in some quarters that maybe the entire Act should be repealed “but we are looking at it.”Veteran broadcaster and APNU member,Antti Raanta Rangers Jersey, Tony Vieira,Chris Mullin Team USA Jersey, pointed out that one of the clauses bound to be amended in the proposal is that which deals with the method of selection,Arizona Diamondbacks Fernando Rodney Jersey, which he said is inconsistent with the authority being a democracy.“It is supposed to function free from any interference or pressure from political or economic forces therefore the means of appointment should be in a democratic and transparent manner.”He also emphasised the fact that nowhere in the Act says that the Authority is an independent one. “At least Nagamootoo’s first Bill in 1995 had that it (GNBA) will be independent.”Vieira said that some parts of the Act violate fundamental freedom of speech which offend an article of the Constitution.APNU had also dubbed the government’s move to drastically hike broadcasting licence fee as one intended to cripple broadcasters who appear not to be pro-government.A few weeks back, the GNBA announced that radio and television broadcasters would now have to pay an annual licencing fee of $2.5 Million or 3% of their gross income, providing that the 3% is more than $2.5 Million. The new fee represents a massive increase from the sum of $240,000 annually that was required in previous years.APNU Member of Parliament Joseph Harmon said at a party press conference that on June 19, GNBA’s chairperson, Bibi Shadick,Michael Irvin Cowboys Throwback Jersey, called a conference and declared that the Cabinet had stipulated new rates for Broadcasters, and according to Harmon,Matt Dumba Jersey, when Shadick was questioned about “inconsistencies,” her response was “I don’t know,Mark Gonzalez Chile Jersey, I’m just calling out what I got.”Harmon said that it is more than ridiculous that the head of the Authority “didn’t know.”He added that the issue of the licencing fee brings into sharp focus APNU’s concern about the Broadcast Act.He also asserted that the clear direction of Cabinet in the affairs of the Authority makes the body less independent and autonomous than it was intended to be. |
