PM: No racism on airwaves

Before the end of next year, Udecott will build a modern $80 million four-storey headquarters for the Government Information Service (GIS) to lead this country’s revolution in Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The sod-turning ceremony took place yesterday at the St Clair site of the old Information Division. Prime Minister Patrick Manning told the launch that ICT could fast lift people out of underdevelopment, and that the building would give a chance to change our society.

Elaborating his Government’s broadcast policy, Manning said it recognised constitutional freedom of media and the role of the free market, but also sought high standards of quality, fairness and objectivity. “The policy reminds us that ours is a plural society and that the airwaves must not be used to create any form of divisiveness or ethnic tensions whatsoever, and that the law will be applied against any violations of this important principle. The building is due to be completed within 18 months.