Jagdeo faces more criticism over suspended private TV licence

President Bharrat Jagdeo continues to face heavy criticism over his decision to suspend the licence of a privately owned television station for four months.

Jagdeo last weekend announced the suspension of CNS TV6, allegedly for broadcasting libelous statements in a commentary four months ago.

The reasons cited by the authorities for the suspension was a statement critical of Bishop Juan Edghill, the head of the Ethnic Relations Commission by opposition legislator Anthony Vieira.

The opposition parties charge that the "frivolous explanation proffered by the president is intended to cloud the real intention behind the suspension: the silencing of all voices of dissent," said a joint statement by the Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance for Change.

"The very fact that the controversial Tony Vieira commentary was also aired on another channel, but no such action was taken against that channel, evidences the reality that CNS TV6 is the victim of sustained government harassment and persecution. Also, given the fact that this controversial commentary is currently engaging the attention of the court, this suspension indeed flies in the face of the procedural sanctity of the judicial process," the parties said.

Other interest groups inside Guyana, as well as Reporters without Borders have criticised the president's decision.

'Discriminatory action'

"The presidential order is all the more reprehensible for forcing the station off the air during the run-up to regional and general elections that must be held by December 28," said the Paris-based group in a statement.

"This suspension is both discriminatory and absurd ... The fact that the station is owned by Chandra Narine Charma, the leader of the opposition Justice for All Party, is a further reason for seeing it as an attack on pluralism and democratic debate," Reporters without Borders said.

Co-owner of the TV station, Savitrie Singh-Sharma, told Demerara Waves Online News that the television station could lose an estimated GUY$6 million (US$29, 932) monthly, and plans to lay off at least 28 workers as a result of the suspension.

CNS TV 6 had been suspended twice in the past for broadcast breaches.