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

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BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION
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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.

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IMPACT
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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.

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STORIES
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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.
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LOGISTICS
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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