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Tuesday September 12, 2017
Kaieteur News
Media Assoc. fights GNBA’s attempt to collect outstanding fees
World Suicide Day observance…
Suicide can be prevented once signs are not ignored — Health Minister
The Guyana Media Association (GMA) yesterday expressed dissatisfaction at the fact that the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) is looking to collect outstanding fees owed by local broadcasters. Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, had said that over $125M was owed to the GNBA by broadcasters who neglected to pay fees over the years. Over the weekend, Nagamootoo’s office sent out a missive stating that GNBA Chairman, Leslie Sobers has written him. The missive also served to inform that Sobers indicated a willingness by most broadcasters to clear their debt. In fact, it was said that some broadcasters have already begun to clear their debts. Yesterday, GMA said, “It is this Association’s understanding that the Authority is making the demand for these back payments (from 2014) on the basis of fees set under a court-overturned regulation which was instituted by the
past administration. The fees set were successfully overturned by a court decision handed down by the then Chief Justice Ian Chang on May 9, 2014 and an absolute order was made on that date. “ GMA said that the decision follows an action by four existing broadcasters to challenge the imposition of $2.5 million in fees which represented a 1000% increase and would allow for financial ruin. “Further, it was considered in breach of article 146 of the Constitution which guaranteed their right to freedom of expression. The Broadcasting Act, as noted in the decision, allows for a fee ‘which shall be a sum equivalent to such percentage of the gross revenue of the licensee as the Minister may by regulations prescribe.’ This does not allow for the imposition of a fee to be prescribed by the Minister under an option where if the percentage of the gross is less than $2.5 million, the Authority will ask for the greater sum of $2.5 million, as
being demanded.” GMA said that in his decision on May 9, 2014, the former Chief Justice examined the sections in the Broadcasting Act distinguishing between a grant fee for a new licence and an annual fee. The Chief Justice in his decision stated the Authority’s reliance on regulations which were published on November 29, 2013 in the Official Gazette. The Association said that “this sets out the demand of $2.5 if it is greater than a gross percentage. Chief Justice Chang went on to rule that while the relevant section empowers the Minister to make regulations on grant fees, such a fee ‘would, of necessity, apply only to first time broadcasters and not to existing broadcasters.” Further, GMA noted that the former Chief Justice, in granting the order in favour of the existing broadcasters, stated: It goes without saying that an annual fee based on a percentage of gross revenue of the previous year, cannot apply to a first-time broadcaster and can apply only to existing broadcasters.
Suicide is preventable, once the signs and actions of those prone to the psychological endemic are not ignored. This was the perspective of Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, (MoPH) Dr. Karen Cummings, on Sunday, during the observance of World Suicide Day. World Suicide Day was observed under the theme “Take a minute, change a life.” Minister Cummings told an audience that early signs of a person prone to suicide are detectable, if we take the time to pay attention to those around us. “If we take the time we can change that person’s life,” the Health Minister stated during a local concert hosted at the Seawall Bandstand, Kingston. The concert was facilitated by Mental Health Unit of the Ministry of Public Health. Under a local theme “Mental Health is we Business: Take a Minute and Let’s Talk,” Dr. Cummings noted that while “a suicidal person may not ask for help, that does not mean that help is not
From page 3 said that there is need for building materials such as wood and zinc sheets, manpower in the form of specialists and labourers and aerial and marine transportation. Member of the PSC, Ramesh Dookoo, said that the private sector would have assisted Guyana's efforts on previous occasions such as when Haiti experienced its last disastrous earthquake. He said that the list of items that are needed will be circulated among members of the private sector so that persons can identify what they can contribute. However, he noted that the Commission had received complaints in the past whereby members would have contributed to relief efforts and they received no feed-
back. He said that this is not a critique of the CDC but said that it should be noted for future exercises. Dookoo expressed the Commission's full support towards the relief efforts. According to PSC member, Gerry Gouveia, when Montserrat and Grenada would have experienced their share of devastation in the past, a recognizance team was sent to the locations to create the linkages that were needed. “So I want to believe that maybe that is one of the avenues that we should look at where the fuel companies would have contributed to fuel for planes and the pilots fly for free, that type of thing and we put together a team to go on the ground.” However, Director General of the Civil Defence Commis-
sion (CDC), Colonel (Retired) Chabilall Ramsarup said that a recognizance team is not necessary since CDEMA is already on the ground and is able to provide the necessary information. This position was also supported by Minister Harmon. He said, “CDEMA has now enhanced capacity to do these types of recognizance operations, and this is a capacity that has been developed over years. In these territories, you have a capacity to assist in doing what Gerry wants. “However I will not stand in the way of the private sector wanting their own eyes and ears on the ground to do an assessment. Additionally, now that we are working with CDEMA,
and the CARICOM Secretariat and ACS Secretariat, it is important that we coordinate all of what we do with all of these organisations.” Harmon noted that the government has received a specific request from Antigua and Barbuda in the form of timber. He said that this is outside of what will be provided through the CARICOM mechanism. In addition to CARICOM stepping in to assist the affected islands, the European Union has mobilised €2M Hurricane Irma hit islands. Some of the affected islands are Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Barthélémy, Saint Martin, Sint Maarten, British Virgin Islands, St. Kitts and Nevis, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Govt. Donates initial US$50,000 towards...
Minister of Health, Dr. Karen Cummings desperately needed… If you think a friend or family member is considering suicide, you might be afraid of bringing up the subject. But talking openly about suicidal thoughts and feelings can save a life.” The Minister also reiterated Government’s commitment to continue with the implementation of the 2015 to 2020 Mental Health Action Plan. Dr. Cummings said the Ministry will strive resolutely to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals of Good Health and Well-Being for all Guyanese. “It is important to recognise that the trauma of suicide attempts leaves the victims permanently, physically, psychologically and emotionally scarred. We will continue to utilise media campaigns and education to raise awareness of suicide. We will be utilising a strong educational approach to dispel the myths about suicide and let others know about the realities surrounding national health crisis,” the Minister added. Director of Mental Health, Dr. Util Richmond-Thomas,
said that it is important to discuss the issues of suicide. She said that of the 800,000 persons who die of suicide each year worldwide, Guyana has had its fair share. “It is our business to conquer the preventable death by suicide. Every person who died of suicide lived in a community, most have relatives, friends, co-workers or classmates, yet they feel isolated and unable to cope with life stresses and make a decision that it is better to check out of life” the Director explained. Dr. Richmond -Thomas therefore encouraged those present to take a minute and let those persons know that people care. “These troubled persons need to know they can trust relatives and friends and not be ashamed to discuss their issues,” she emphasized. Those who may need help were also encouraged to contact the Ministry of Public Health Mental Health Unit or to seek counseling via the suicide hotline numbers on: (+592) 223-0001, 223-0009, 600-7896, 623-4444, 592-2230818 or on Facebook- at Guyana Interagency Suicide Prevention Help Line.