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Politics

Global pressure mounts on Guyana President not to sign broadcast bill into law

Global pressure on Tuesday intensified on President David Granger not to sign amendments to Guyana’s Broadcasting Act into law, citing violation of media freedom and viability of privately-owned media. Reporters Without Borders on Tuesday added its voice to calls already made by the Guyana Press Association (GPA), Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM) and the International Press Institute (IPI) for ...

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AFC unanimously supports Ramjattan as Security Minister; presses for softer marijuana penalties to ease prison overcrowding

Amid ongoing instability in Guyana’s prisons sparked off by the burning down of the Georgetown maximum security jail one month ago, the Alliance For Change (AFC) on Sunday backed Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan and called for a swift end to jail terms for possession of small amounts of marijuana. “A motion was unanimously approved that the party reposes its ...

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PPP wavers on Jagdeo’s family ties to radio, TV licencees

The opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) attempted to downplay that at least two relatives of top party officials were among those granted radio and television licences by the Bharrat Jagdeo administration. “Clearly, from the names we read out they are not PPP, nor are they relatives of Jagdeo whatsoever,” Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira told a news conference. “We are ...

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Several TV, radio stations face closure following changes to Broadcasting Act

The opposition People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) on Friday predicted that government would use amendments to Guyana’s Broadcasting Act to close several radio and television stations whose principals are closely aligned to that party, a move that government signaled is on the cards. PPP front-bencher, Clement Rohee, who reiterated that the amendments would result in unconstitutional actions, wrapped up his ...

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Rift in top bracket of police force, qualifications, alleged gun licence rackets surface at Granger assassination inquiry

Acting Police Commissioner, David Ramnarine on Friday conceded that he was never trained as a detective but rejected suggestions that he had told Commission of Inquiry that the plot to assassinate President David Granger was not properly investigated because of malice against Police Commissioner, Seelalall Persaud and Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum. Under cross-examination by the substantive Police Commissioner’s Attorney-at-Law, Glenn ...

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Broadcast law amendments unconstitutional ; existing radio, TV stations under threat- PPP

The opposition People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) Thursday night slammed amendments to the Broadcasting Act as unconstitutional on several grounds. During debate on the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2017 that provides for 60 minutes each day on all private radio and television stations, PPP legislator Juan Edghill charged that the law would collide with freedom of expression and the right to ...

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Bring back overseas voting; each ministry must have Diaspora office – David Hinds

United States (US)-based Guyanese Political Science Professor, David Hinds has called for the return of overseas voting 32 years after it was drastically reduced amid concerns that the then People’s National Congress (PNC)-led administration had used it to help to cheat elections and remain in office. “I think the problem for us in Guyana was not the concept of overseas ...

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Public Security Minister likely to appear before Commission of Inquiry on Granger’s assassination plot

Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan is likely to appear before the Commission of Inquiry into the effectiveness of the Guyana Police Force in investigating an alleged plot to assassinate President David Granger. Attorney-at-Law, Christopher Ram on Wednesday told Commissioner of the Inquiry, Retired Assistant Commissioner Paul Slowe that he would like Ramjattan to be summoned to the probe set ...

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Cigarette vending to be banned; Guyana will lose billions in taxes- Demtoco

The Demerara Tobacco Company Limited (Demtoco) on Wednesday said it is too early to take take legal action to stop the enforcement of legislation that bans smoking in public places and will almost literally wipe out street-corner cigarette vending. “At this stage, it would be extremely premature and, for me, I would consider it wrong to make any pronouncements about ...

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Businessman was framed about assassination plot, woman tells police

The man, who accused Nizam Khan, of offering him GYD$7 million to kill President David Granger, might have framed the East Bank Demerara businessman if the testimony of his former landlord is anything to go by. Attorney-at-Law for the Guyana Police Force, Ian Chang on Wednesday led evidence by Detective Laundry to show the Commission of Inquiry that the accuser, Andriff ...

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