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Opposition engages NCN in talks over balanced coverage
- NCN was not established to be the propaganda arm of the PPPC Administration- APNU Communications Director, Mark Archer
Head of the Communications Department of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Mr. Mark Archer is engaged in dialogue with Mr. Michael Gordon, Chief Executive Officer (ag.) of the National Communications Network (NCN) over allowing the coalition air time to voice its position on issues of national interest. This was disclosed to media operatives yesterday at APNU’s headquarters on Hadfield Street, Georgetown, during a press conference.
Communications Director of APNU, Mark Archer
APNU’S Leader, David Granger said, “I have been assured that the Head of the Communications Department of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition is in touch with NCN. As you know in 2012 when the tenth Parliament was in session, we had been engaging NCN and the Government Information Agency (GINA) to get a more balanced coverage. It is a matter that was brought to the attention of the Speaker of the National Assembly (Mr. Raphael Trotman).”
The APNU Leader expressed that as a result, the Opposition used its legislative power to disapprove of funds for the two government-owned agencies.
“And it is the subject of another matter which is engaging the attention of the Committee of Privileges because there is evidence that the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh spent an unapproved some of money (for both agencies). So our concern with NCN and GINA has been expressed and we have continued to seek balance from the state institution.”
In the letter addressed to Gordon, Archer said, “Over the last few months the National Communications Network (NCN) has consistently devoted an inordinate amount of prime time coverage to the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic Administration’s propaganda on the Anti-Money Laundering and the Countering of the Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill. In contrast, the parliamentary majority, A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change, have not been afforded the equal opportunity to share their points-of-view with the nation on this very important piece of legislation, through NCN.”
Archer, a published writer, then referred to the PPP/C press conference on Tuesday last which was aired for more than an hour on the NCN Channel.
During the conference the Opposition was intensely lambasted and labelled with names such as “anti- national” and “anti- development.”
Archer said that the Network was not established to be, “the propaganda arm of the incumbent PPP/C Administration but, instead, to provide, in an even-handed manner, opportunities for the Guyanese people to hear all sides on important national issues.”
The APNU member also made a request for the coalition to be granted one hour of prime time on March 12 for a live Opposition press conference on the Anti-Money Laundering and the Countering of the Financing of Terrorism Bill.