Radio, monopoly and technology in Guyana

UNCLAS GEORGETOWN 000257

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PROP PGOV PHUM SCUL KDEM GY
SUBJECT: Radio, monopoly and technology in Guyana


1. Summary: The Stabroek News, the leading independent daily
newspaper in Guyana, carried an editorial on Friday, March 17,
analyzing GoG ambivalence with regard to radio broadcasting in
Guyana. The editorial is reproduced below:

Begin Text:

One cannot avoid the conclusion that after thirteen years in
government the PPP/C has absolutely no intention of releasing its
stranglehold on radio, and allowing private broadcasters to
operate. We are now going into the third election since it came
into office, and given its track record of using the state media
for politically partisan purposes, there can be no optimism that
things are about to change this year, of all years.

Already almost three years have passed since it issued its draft
broadcasting bill, which ran into a storm of criticism not least
because some of its provisions were out of consonance with the
recommendations of the Report of the Joint Committee on Radio
Monopoly, Non-Partisan Boards and Broadcasting Legislation. This
committee had comprised members of both the government and the
main opposition, and had submitted its final report in December

2001. Among other things, this document had proposed guidelines
for the setting up of an autonomous National Broadcasting
Authority.

When the proposed broadcasting bill first appeared, the
government said it was placing it in the public arena for debate,
and indeed, debate there was, including some insightful
commentary from media specialists such as Messrs Kit Nascimento
and Hugh Chomondeleley. However, though there were further
discussions between the parties there was no positive outcome.

Subsequently, of course, Leader of the Opposition Robert Corbin
withdrew from the 'constructive engagement' with President
Jagdeo, and so the entire question was left in limbo.
Unfortunately for the government this is still no excuse; if it
was really serious about legislation to govern broadcasting which
would meet the larger requirements of all sides, it would
certainly have found a way to move forward. As it is a few weeks
ago Mr Corbin said the PNC/R might entertain the possibility of
starting a pirate radio station; if the party does go this route,
it would be nothing more than the administration deserves for all
its foot-dragging on the issue. It might be noted as an aside
that the BBC radio monopoly in the UK was broken in 1964 by the
pirate station Radio Caroline, which broadcast from a converted
ferry moored outside British territorial waters.

As was remarked by more than one commentator in 2003, the
administration is labouring over an old-fashioned broadcasting
bill, while the rest of the world is looking at
telecommunications legislation. Even as things stand locally,
technology overtook the situation a long time ago. The government
is clearly concerned about control of radio, but there are no
controls on the internet and it is unlikely it would be able to
introduce any.

Nowadays with the appropriate software, audio content can be sent
to a digital device - something called podcasts. Theoretically,
therefore, the PNCR would not even need to bother about a radio
station, it could just podcast its propaganda. Admittedly, that
would limit it to internet users, but the number of those is
likely to continue to increase, no matter what the administration
does or does not do.

Many BBC radio programmes are available in podcast form, while
some of the print media too are dabbling in podcasting, including
the Guardian Unlimited and the Daily Telegraph. The latter, it is
reported, has something close to a daily news bulletin, and also
has some of its columnists reading their pieces. While that might
not sound very inspiring, no doubt their efforts will become more
sophisticated as time goes by.

It is possible, therefore, that somewhere down the line
newspapers (not to mention others) will maintain the equivalent
of radio stations - albeit only for internet purposes - and
perhaps progress eventually to video-podcasts. Given the
integration of communications technology, some people will be
listening to podcasts on mobile phones.

The irony of the situation is that President Jagdeo has publicly
committed himself to trying to give every child access to the
internet. While that might be laudable, one wonders if he has
fully thought out the implications of this dream project. The
truth of the matter is there is no controlling information any
longer; the worldwide web and attendant developments have put
paid to that. By the time the government gets around, therefore,
to looking at broadcasting legislation encompassing radio
licences (among other things),no one will be listening to radios
any more.

End Text.

BULLEN