New radio and tv licenses to be issued within weeks

Chairman of the Broadcasting Authority's board, Leonard Craig, today told the media that he is pushing for the issuance to begin within the next six to eight weeks.

New radio and tv licenses to be issued within weeks

The Guyana National Broadcasting Authority is preparing to begin issuing new licenses to long waiting applicants for radio and television, within the coming weeks.

Chairman of the Broadcasting Authority’s board, Leonard Craig, today told the media that he is pushing for the issuance to begin within the next six to eight weeks.

He explained that there are at least 25 applicants on file and the body is moving to ensure that they are processed and the applicants get the all clear to go on air.

On Friday morning, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who holds the portfolio for public information, met with the Board of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority and indicated to them the government’s position on opening up the airwaves.

The Prime Minister explained that the administration believes in competition and he has urged the GNBA to move ahead with the process.

He said there must be the opening of the airwaves and the addition of “fresh air” to the market. Prime Minister Nagamootoo said while it is up to the Broadcasting Authority to issue the licenses, he would like to see more stations come on board with persons who have the “know it all” to get broadcasting moving in Guyana.

Kaieteur News, Stabroek News, CN Sharma TV 6 and a number of local journalists and broadcasters have been waiting for years to have their applications considered.  The previous government ignored many of those applications when it decided to issue licenses a few years ago.

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