Let Government keep hands off licences

THE EDITOR: Maybe I am confused! But why does the Cabinet of the Government of TT have to get its “sticky fingers” in everything in the country? Can’t state-run agencies be allowed to make decisions under their mandates, without Cabinet having to put its “stamp of approval/disapproval” on everything before anything happens? Is it set up in such a way so that they (Cabinet/PM) can maintain total or maximum control over the affairs of the country? I am referring to the issuance of radio/TV licences to broadcasters. What is the point of having a Telecommunications Authority?

Shouldn’t it be its job to review applications for radio/TV licences and make the determination as to whether someone or an organisation meets the prerequisites for being awarded a licence to operate a TV/radio station without Cabinet’s “final say so”? The way the present system for issuing these licences is set up, it is ripe for political influence, gerrymandering and corruption to the hilt. Whenever a Cabinet, (this or any other one) has the power to approve or disapprove the issuance of these licences, that power can be used and/or abused to the detriment of some well-deserving and qualified operators, whose only fault may be having differing political views from the ruling political party of the day.

So, I strongly recommend a change to the telecommunication laws to give the TATT the authority to be the final adjudicator of such licensing requests, thus keeping the politicians’ hands out of what should be clearly a non-political decision. On the matter of the TATT coming up with a new “Broadcast Code (of Conduct)” for the broadcast media. I believe that the present “draft code” that was recently circulated for “comment and consultation” should have been handled differently. I believe that these same broadcasters who are now been being asked to “review” the document, should have been the ones to help draft it in the first place. They should have had representatives on the committee to assist in drafting the code.

This way their input (voices) would have been heard and their concerns could have been addressed even before the “draft” document was issued. People accept things much more easily if they are a part of something rather than having it force-fed to them from above and without their input. That method of governing only helps breed contempt, frustration and opposition to whatever is being proposed or finally adopted. I also believe that these are the public airwaves over TT and as such, the Government should ensure that some standards of decency are adhered to. They should ensure that broadcasters do airwaves not run amok on the public and have no or very little standards for programming, language etc.

Given no guidelines, it will be anything goes, once it makes a buck, while polluting the minds of our children and young adults who are easily influenced by what they hear and see. But on the other hand, you do not want to stifle creativity and the free expression of speech and other ideas by citizens. The introduction of fines and other penalties (suspension/revocation of licences) should also aid in keeping broadcasters from going too far or pushing the envelope to extremes.

It is time for the Government to stop being so dictatorial in the administration of governance over the people of the country. It is also time for the Government to trust the good sense of the people. Give us responsibility, accountability and the means for doing a good job, then sit back and watch human creativity go to work. After 40 plus years of independence, it is time for citizenry to be treated as adults.

KELVIN C JAMES SNR
via e-mail