Guyana legislators OK broadcast regulation bill – BusinessWeek
GEORGETOWN, Guyana
Guyana’s Parliament has approved a bill that critics say will give the government sweeping powers over the country’s broadcast industry.
All 22 legislators representing the main opposition People’s National Congress party boycotted Thursday’s vote in the 65-seat parliament.
President Bharrat Jagdeo is expected to sign the bill into law in the coming months.
The measure calls for the creation of a broadcasting authority comprising seven regulators, six of whom would be government-appointed. The panel would have the power to suspend or revoke licenses for the airing of programs it considers offensive.
Broadcasters would be required to record and store programs for five years and set aside airtime for public service programs at no cost.