This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS GEORGETOWN 000257 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PROP PGOV PHUM SCUL KDEM GY
SUBJECT: Radio, monopoly and technology in Guyana 
 
¶1.   Summary: The Stabroek News, the leading independent daily 
newspaper in Guyana, carried an editorial on Friday, March 17, 
analyzing GoG ambivalence with regard to radio broadcasting in 
Guyana.  The editorial is reproduced below: 
 
Begin Text: 
 
One cannot avoid the conclusion that after thirteen years in 
government the PPP/C has absolutely no intention of releasing its 
stranglehold on radio, and allowing private broadcasters to 
operate. We are now going into the third election since it came 
into office, and given its track record of using the state media 
for politically partisan purposes, there can be no optimism that 
things are about to change this year, of all years. 
 
Already almost three years have passed since it issued its draft 
broadcasting bill, which ran into a storm of criticism not least 
because some of its provisions were out of consonance with the 
recommendations of the Report of the Joint Committee on Radio 
Monopoly, Non-Partisan Boards and Broadcasting Legislation. This 
committee had comprised members of both the government and the 
main opposition, and had submitted its final report in December 
¶2001. Among other things, this document had proposed guidelines 
for the setting up of an autonomous National Broadcasting 
Authority. 
 
When the proposed broadcasting bill first appeared, the 
government said it was placing it in the public arena for debate, 
and indeed, debate there was, including some insightful 
commentary from media specialists such as Messrs Kit Nascimento 
and Hugh Chomondeleley. However, though there were further 
discussions between the parties there was no positive outcome. 
 
Subsequently, of course, Leader of the Opposition Robert Corbin 
withdrew from the 'constructive engagement' with President 
Jagdeo, and so the entire question was left in limbo. 
Unfortunately for the government this is still no excuse; if it 
was really serious about legislation to govern broadcasting which 
would meet the larger requirements of all sides, it would 
certainly have found a way to move forward. As it is a few weeks 
ago Mr Corbin said the PNC/R might entertain the possibility of 
starting a pirate radio station; if the party does go this route, 
it would be nothing more than the administration deserves for all 
its foot-dragging on the issue. It might be noted as an aside 
that the BBC radio monopoly in the UK was broken in 1964 by the 
pirate station Radio Caroline, which broadcast from a converted 
ferry moored outside British territorial waters. 
 
As was remarked by more than one commentator in 2003, the 
administration is labouring over an old-fashioned broadcasting 
bill, while the rest of the world is looking at 
telecommunications legislation. Even as things stand locally, 
technology overtook the situation a long time ago. The government 
is clearly concerned about control of radio, but there are no 
controls on the internet and it is unlikely it would be able to 
introduce any. 
 
Nowadays with the appropriate software, audio content can be sent 
to a digital device - something called podcasts. Theoretically, 
therefore, the PNCR would not even need to bother about a radio 
station, it could just podcast its propaganda. Admittedly, that 
would limit it to internet users, but the number of those is 
likely to continue to increase, no matter what the administration 
does or does not do. 
 
Many BBC radio programmes are available in podcast form, while 
some of the print media too are dabbling in podcasting, including 
the Guardian Unlimited and the Daily Telegraph. The latter, it is 
reported, has something close to a daily news bulletin, and also 
has some of its columnists reading their pieces. While that might 
not sound very inspiring, no doubt their efforts will become more 
sophisticated as time goes by. 
 
It is possible, therefore, that somewhere down the line 
newspapers (not to mention others) will maintain the equivalent 
of radio stations - albeit only for internet purposes - and 
perhaps progress eventually to video-podcasts. Given the 
integration of communications technology, some people will be 
listening to podcasts on mobile phones. 
 
The irony of the situation is that President Jagdeo has publicly 
committed himself to trying to give every child access to the 
internet. While that might be laudable, one wonders if he has 
fully thought out the implications of this dream project. The 
truth of the matter is there is no controlling information any 
longer; the worldwide web and attendant developments have put 
paid to that. By the time the government gets around, therefore, 
to looking at broadcasting legislation encompassing radio 
licences (among other things), no one will be listening to radios 
any more. 
 
End Text. 
 
BULLEN