Broadcast code coming soon

CHAIRMAN of the Telecommuni-cations Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) Dr Ralph Henry has vowed the Authority would not sit idly by and allow broadcasters, under the guise of freedom of expression, to “take society down the track of unmanageable conflict.” Addressing reporters at a media briefing at BEN’s Court, Boundary Road, San Juan yesterday, Henry explained that “free speech is a pearl that should be treasured and used to adorn, but not to destroy democracy.” He noted that having heard some of the statements broadcasters have made, the Authority was very concerned and would be moving towards developing a broadcast code as required under the Tele-communications Act. Henry said the Authority intended to engage the public and the media in this regard very soon. In addition to developing a code of conduct for the broadcast industry, Henry explained that the country’s wired and wireless Cable television services would soon be opened to new service providers, as part of the Authority’s plan to liberalise the industry.

He explained that the draft policy to introduce competition in the industry was imminent and should be submitted to the Minister of Information for consideration within a month. Henry explained that a liberalised local loop was critical for the expansion of the broadband services, to both public and private enterprises and privileged homes, as well as to reach communities that are challenged by its geographical separation, distance and economic marginalisation. He said the idea behind the plan was to maximise the benefits that can come to the consumer wired to the information and telecommunications highway, by having liberalised access to whoever can provide more services to the consumer. Henry said it was very critical that people are able to access all the new opportunities, and explained that this can only be achieved in a market which offers intermediate and end users a choice of providers.

He went on to state TATT would not be adopting a phased approach to liberalisation like other countries within the region, since there was a need to “quicken the pace of economic transformation, including our seeking to attain developed country status in 16 years.” In addition, he pointed out that the “national thrust demands we do otherwise.” Other areas expected to be targetted by the Authority include the development of a special strategy to include persons with physical and mental disabilities in its telecommunications-reach-the-people-programme, the drafting of policies for network standards and the protection of consumer rights to quality services at cost effective prices. In addition, the Authority has embarked on a recruitment drive aimed at retaining the services of “the best the country and the region has to offer,” since its employees have to be at a standard that is equal to those within the private sector, to avoid being exposed to “intellectual capture.”