Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
caribbeannetnews.com
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: According to a report from the Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM) in Guyana, heavily armed police on Friday evening swooped down on a privately-owned television station CNS Channel Six, after it resumed transmission on the advice of its lawyers.
The ACM report stated that authorities seized transmission equipment, closed the station and suspended its license for a month one week ago, accusing its owner, C.N. Sharma, of attempting to incite people to rebel against the government's alleged bias distribution of food and water to victims of a recent disastrous flood which forced authorities to appeal for international and regional assistance.
CNS Channel Six was closed on the order of a Lay Justice of the Peace on Saturday, the 22nd day of January this year. Attorneys say only the high court could issue such an order. They intend to defy the order until one is produced, and have called the government's behaviour a threat to press freedom, democracy and Sharma's constitutional rights.
Meanwhile, one police officer told Caribbean Net News that when Sharma's station was taken off the air, the government then sent Valmikki Singh, Chief Executive Officer of the National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU) to seize the equipment.
However, when Singh and the lawmen showed up at the station they were prevented from entering the premises as hundreds of angry citizens barricaded the premises, thus preventing the police from entering the building and seizing the equipment which Sharma had borrowed in order to resume transmission.
Clearly upset by the reaction of the massive crowd, the government is reported to have sent a crew from the local power company to cut the electrical power which was sourcing the building, but they too met with stiff resistance and were chased away, as the angry crowd attempted to overturn the utility vehicle. One electrical worker at the power station confirmed to Caribbean Net News that power was then cut to an entire area, including the station, forcing it to end transmission.
Speaking to Caribbean Net News, Sharma remained undaunted and vowed to continue. He has called for solidarity and is seeking support from the local and international media fraternity in his continued battle against the government of President Bharrat Jagdeo.
Channel Six employees said this is the third time in two years the station has been closed under new draconian regulations vested in the Office of the Prime Minister Samuel Hinds.
HBTV Channel Nine, a network closely affiliated to the main opposition Peoples National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) had a similar experience during this period. It has been reported that stations considered close to the government are immune from these regulations, causing unease and bitterness in the society. .
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