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FM
Former Member
The Sharma ban is devious

October 5, 2011 | By KNews | Filed Under Letters



Dear Editor,
In the matter of CNS 6, it appears to me that:
a) It needs to be verified in which capacity the ban is imposed by Jagdeo – whether as President, or Minister of Information?
There have been mixed references to both and the public, like me, is confused as to the correctness of the process. What does the relevant ACB documentation say on the identification of the final decision-maker?
b) In any case, what is the procedure to be followed for the appointment of a Minister – who presumably should sit in Parliament? Appropriate joint legal action must follow.
c) But the above may well be regarded as academic since in fact Sharma is only the ‘shadow’ target, the substantive objective being the disablement of the opposition from communicating their election campaign effectively through the ‘Channels’ available.
d) The option left is to apply for access to time on the state-owned Channel, and insist on an expeditious response.
e) The expected rejection of the application must be used as a basis for pleading the denial of a critical human right, the consequential subversion of democracy, to the local diplomatic community; Caricom Governments, human rights organisations across the Region; the diaspora; and of course other relevant overseas institutions. Also ask relevant Governments for sanctions regarding the denial of ‘freedom of expression’.
f) There must not be any let-up in protests which should be organised in different forms on a continuing basis until elections, if any.
g) The greatest disappointment so far is the local media. As I write Capitol News is giving extensive coverage of the PPP’s Albion rally, insensitive to the fact that a colleague’s voice has been banned from airing any counterbalancing rallies.
Surely the response must be to blackout news of all PPP/Government electoral events.
The media must set a standard by recognising that they serve a higher cause even at the sacrifice of self-interest. They cannot remain just witnesses. They must become cemented in the determination to save the society of which they are a part.
h) The same expectations of course applies to the employer associations, the Trade Unions, the Guyana Bar Association, and all other stakeholders.
Concerned PPP citizen

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