PPP unfazed by Govt.’s threat to review radio licences

By Abena Rockcliffe

The APNU+AFC (A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change) administration recently announced that it will soon make good on its election promise to  review a number of controversially issued radio licences that were handed out to family and friends of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) during that party’s period of governance. The announcement came from the Minister of State, Joseph Harmon who was always vocal about the “unfair” distribution of radio licences by former President, Bharrat Jagdeo, a few days before he demitted office. Harmon’s most recent comment came as he spoke on the sale of one of the licenses. However, the PPP, which also has a licence, seems unfazed by Harmon’s declaration. As he hosted the Party’s most recent press conference at Freedom House on Monday last, PPP General Secretary, Clement Rohee essentially shunned the theory that licences can be revoked. Among the 11 persons and entities receiving permission to run radio stations back in 2011 are  Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop, Jagdeo’s best friend; the Mirror Newspaper, which belongs to the former ruling party; and Telcor Cultural and Broadcasting Inc. The three received five frequencies each giving them countrywide control of the radio airwaves. Recently Harmon said that all licences will be reviewed. He made it clear that there will be absolutely no exceptions. But Rohee maintains that “all licenses were legally granted” and therefore there is not much that the new government can do. Asked whether he feels it is healthy for one political party to have control of five radio frequencies, Rohee’s response was “well it has already happened.” He told reporters that should the government indeed decide to review the licences, then “when that bridge reach we will cross it.” Currently, PPP is operating one of its frequencies. Former Minister of Natural Resources, Robert Persaud recently relinquished ownership of iRadio 90.1 Love FM. Persaud recently concluded a deal that was long in the making with the Ansa McAl-owned Guardian Media Group. But the review of all radio licences that is on its way may very well spell problems for this deal. Harmon also told Kaieteur News that very soon, the government will ensure the return of the Telecommunication legislation that was taken to the National Assembly during the life of the Tenth Parliament. The Minister of State said that that Bill will help to correct many wrongs. The new government, while in opposition, had spoken extensively about its disapproval of the manner in which the licences were distributed. Local and international media bodies and local diplomats had all been applying pressure on the Donald Ramotar government to review and even recall the licences until a review is done on how they were issued in the first place. The details of the licences only came to light after AFC demanded answers in the National Assembly. The answers were provided earlier this year, immediately sparking street protests by established, private media houses which were ignored by Jagdeo. Harmon had said, “The resources of a country are not the personal property of the President or anybody. This is a national resource. It is not within your (Jagdeo) power to share it out to your friends.” Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, during the last election campaign, highlighted what the consequence has been to the nation, owing to the Government’s “misuse” of the state media. He had promised that should his government come to power, the state media would be liberated and questionable frequency transactions investigated. He told supporters, “We have a plan. We will review all those television stations, and those radio stations that were given to friends. We will ensure that they are re-distributed to those who deserve to have and who are responsible.”