NFMU to show cause why radio frequencies should not be revoked

NFMU to show cause why radio frequencies should not be revoked

The National Frequency Management Unit will have to appear before Chief Justice Ian Chang on May 9, 2013 to show cause why the Court should not quash its decision to assign frequencies for radio and television broadcasting to Radio Guyana Inc., Telecor, New Guyana Company, Rudolph Grant, NTN Radio, Wireless Connections, Hits and Jams Entertainment, Alfro Alphonso & Sons, Haslyn Griffith and Little Rock Television.

Chief Justice Ian Chang in directing an Order Nisi of Certiorari to the NFMU, asked the unit to explain why its decision to issue frequencies to the named defendants should not be quashed on the ground “that the said decisions were premised on the unlawful and unconstitutional distribution by then President Bharrat Jagdeo unfair, unreasonable, capricious, irrational, procedurally improper, ultra vires, null, void and of no legal effect”.

The Order by the Chief Justice was entered into on April 25, 2013 after he read and considered a notice of motion put forward to the court by veteran Broadcaster Enrico Woolford.

Private Media owners in Guyana have been calling on the Government to address and reconsider their applications following revelations on the licenses issues by Mr. Jagdeo just before he left office.

Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall and EMW Communications/Capitol News Managing Director, Enrico Woolford have been leading protests against what they consider “an injustice” by the former President to issue radio licenses to his “friends and family” while ignoring the applications of private broadcasters who made applications several years before.

The President Ramotar administration has been trying to hop scotch around the issue by pointing out that the newly established Broadcast Authority will address all new applications.

The private media owners have whipped up support from the Guyana Press Association, the Guyana Media Proprietors Association, the Association of Caribbean Media Workers and the International Press Institute. The press bodies have called on the Government of Guyana to “correct the wrong that was done” and seriously address the concerns of the media owners since the granting of the licenses was not done in a fair and transparent manner.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds recently said the granting of radio licenses by the former President was not an issue of fairness.

You must be logged in to post a comment Login