TV CO-OP PROPOSAL - GUYANA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 GEORGETOWN 000104 SIPDIS PA/OBS FOR GEORGE SANTULLI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP OPRC KPAO GY SUBJECT: TV CO-OP PROPOSAL - GUYANA REF: 2005 STATE 210798 ¶1. SUMMARY: Guyana is a fragile state with a history of ethnic-related post-election violence. General elections are due by called by August 2006. Post proposes a television co-op with the theme "The Role of the Media in Elections". Reporters would focus on the large overseas Guyanese community, some of whom have run for office in the U.S. and others help fund political parties in Guyana. END SUMMARY -------------- BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION -------------- ¶2. Politics in Guyana remain mired in personal attacks, promises of patronage and ethnic loyalties. Guyana is an ethnically divided nation, the population is roughly 44% East Indian (Indo-Guyanese),30% African (Afro-Guyanese) with the balance made up of mixed heritage, Native Americans (Amerindians),Portuguese, Chinese and white. From independence in 1966 until 1992, it was ruled by the primarily Afro-Guyanese People's National Congress (PNC). Since 1992, Guyana has been governed by the primarily Indo-Guyanese People's Progressive Party (PPP). The 1992 election was Guyana's first free and fair election since independence. Despite this, the 1992 election and subsequent elections in 1997 and 2001 were marred by post- election violence. ¶3. Elections are constitutionally due to be held by August 4, 2006. The Embassy is encouraging all parties to work towards free, fair, and peaceful elections. Many voters are tired of politics-as-usual and fear a repeat of previous unrest. ¶4. This program will meet the Mission Performance Plan goal of helping Guyana achieve political stability. A TV co-op would show Guyanese audiences how political debate can function in a democracy. Post already uses USAID development assistance funds and State Department speaker programs to educate voters and improve media coverage of elections. This program would enhance these efforts. -------------- IMPACT -------------- ¶5. Television in Guyana is starved for local content. Although there are many stations, fifteen in Georgetown alone, most programming consists of pirated signals from the U.S. and pirated DVD movies. Only six of television stations produce nightly news programs. Because there is so little local content, Post finds stations are more than willing to air documentaries, reports and interviews relevant to Guyana. Stories produced by the TV co-op will be aired multiple times during peak viewing hours. Stations regularly share footage which will ensure stories are seen in every major community in Guyana. ¶6. Most nightly news shows have both an hour-long broadcast and a weekly news magazine. A television co-op would produce both short stories for the nightly broadcast and longer substantive stories for the magazine. Post has met with media outlets here and they are very willing to participate. -------------- STORIES -------------- ¶7. The first priority is to tell the story of how elections are run in the United States and how the media covers them. This can be done through general interviews with political parties, candidates, and established voter organizations. Groups that arrange candidate debates and town hall meetings would be especially valuable in showing Guyanese audiences the potential of these activities and teaching the pragmatic steps necessary for successful debates. ¶8. There is a large Guyanese-American population in the U.S. centered in New York City. Several Guyanese- Americans have run for local office there. Their experiences would be a useful bridge for viewers. Guyanese expatriates also provide much of the funding for campaigns here. They tend to continue the ethnic-based politics of their homeland, and they are an important factor in Guyanese elections. ¶9. Although some time should be spent in New York because of its direct relevance to life in Guyana, a TV co-op should also be used to showcase the size and diversity of the United States. Many Guyanese focus their attention on New York City and have little knowledge of the rest of the country. Seeing debates and elections in a local or state level would be very valuable, especially in an area with racial or economic problems. One reporter mentioned that many Guyanese are interested in the situation in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. A story about politics in post-flood Louisiana would resonate with Guyanese audiences. Like New Orleans, the capital Georgetown and most of coastal Guyana are below sea level and protected by dykes and a seawall. Guyana experienced widespread flooding in January 2005 and again in January 2006. -------------- LOGISTICS -------------- ¶10. The news outlet for the co-op will be determined later. Several are interested and have the capability to produce worthwhile programs. Guyana has direct flights to New York and flights (through connections) are available to Washington D.C. and Miami. Media outlets can afford to pay airfare. Guyana is English-speaking, translators will not be needed. Post is aware of the need for I visas and a thorough briefing of participants. BULLEN