CNS TV6 suspended for four months; to lay off workers PDF  | Print |
Written by Denis Scott Chabrol   
Friday, 30 September 2011 16:42

cnstv6

President Bharrat Jagdeo on Friday decided to suspend the privately-owned CNS TV6 for allegedly libelous statements against Juan Edghill by Tony Vieria in a commentary four months ago.

The station goes off air on Monday by which time the licensee would receive a formal notification of the suspension. 

The Vieira commentary on May 4, 2011 for which the station and Vieira have since been sued by Edghill and the Advisory Committee on Broadcasting has gotten involved is the reason for the suspension. 

Co-owner of the TV station, Savitrie Singh-Sharma told Demerara Waves Online News  (www.demwaves.com ) that Jagdeo informed her and her husband, Chandra Narine Sharma that they could appeal the decision to the new president. 

She told Demerara Waves Online News that even before the election, she plans to seek an audience with Peoples Progressive Party Civic presidential candidate, Donald Ramotar. 

Singh declined to say whether she believed that the timing of the closure had anything to do with the upcoming general election campaign. “I don’t know. I am not really politically minded. I am not in a position to say,” she said. Chandra Narine Sharma is regarded as a harsh critic of the Guyana government.

She said her station would lose at least GUY$6 million monthly. She plans to lay off at least 28 of the 30 staff members.

During the one-hour long discussion with the President, who is the Information Minister, she said he at first said the station would be pulled off the air for eight months. 

However, after she pointed out that she had a variety of commitments including those to commercial banks, staff and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), he decided to cut the suspension by half. 

The CNS TV co-owner said that it is Vieria who should be punished not her station, although she admitted that a mistake was made in playing the wrong edition of the commentary. 

“I think its unfair for us to be punished and punished twice. Yes, there are  responsibilities but mistakes are made all around the world,” she said. 

Singh ruled out moving to the court to challenge the suspension, saying that it would be a waste of money because previous litigation “have been put on the shelf.” 

CNS TV 6 had been suspended twice in the past for broadcast breaches, the first time for one month and then for four months.

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Comments  

 
+6 #1 Brandon Samaroo 2011-09-30 17:03
This is obscene
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+6 #2 The Rod 2011-09-30 17:06
Every Guyanese knows fully well that he only did that because channel 6 broadcasts most of APNU's programs. It is not fair to Mr Sharma, to have to be loosing business, money, and his staff as well, but the people and children of this nation's cries is on the People"s Progressive Party, and God help them when the tables turn, not in man's time, but in God's..... His wrath will be upon you people...May Almighty God be with you all!!!!
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+6 #3 saibabagee10 2011-09-30 17:06
A move designed to keep Sharma's channel off the airwaves until the elections are over. Only a blind person would not see the crassness of this move.

It is sad that, every time Jagdeo is given an opportunity to shoe class, he prefers to show how crass he really is.

If Mr Edgill was libeled by something broadcast on Sharma's station why has Edgill not sought legal redress for the wounds suffered? Why hasn't he sued the commentator who was a guest on the programme aired on CH 6?

Could Savitree and CN move to the courts to get justice in this matter? Perhaps. but, do you think that they would win teh case...? probably not!

The Jagdeo regime speaks with a hugely forked tongue. They pretend to want a FREE PRESS and PRESS FREEDOM yet, at every turn, take measures designed to place media operators on their political rack!

it is simply disgusting!

Even more disgusting is that the people, despite demonstrating their loyalTy to Channel 6 by turning their channels to his station, will not come out and publicly protest the treatment being meted out to him. They prefer to laugh quietly in their homes and workplaces and say self-righteously..."it serve he right..."

TODAY IT'S SHARMA AND CHANNEL 6. TOMORROW IT COULD BE YOU!!!! TOMORROW IT CAN BE YOU!!!!!!!

WHAT WILL YOU DO WHEN THEY GO FURTHER THAN TAKING YOUR FORESKIN? WHAT WILL YOU DO WHEN THEY COME WITH THEIR LONG KNIFE TO CASTRATE YOU???????
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+7 #4 rsco 2011-09-30 17:21
Oh Beautiful Guyana, Oh My Lovely native land.

Not so anymore, i am so happy that i am in a country where i can switch my channels to any channel i wish. From government critics to x-rated and they are not censored by the Government.

Guyana is not a free country and i feel so damned often whenever i have to read these unscrupulous developments.
I am also sorry for the citizens that are plagued by these authoritarian behavior of our leaders that we pay to lead us.
The time has come for Guyanese leaders to declare their assets before they get into office and let everyone know what is their yearly income and also let us know what is their worth when they are leaving office.
We must clearly boycott Guyana with our remittances and our gifts because we are actually putting monies into the pockets of politicians. (taxes).
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-4 #5 Guyana Baboo 2011-09-30 17:33
The CNS TV co-owner said that it is Vieria who should be punished not her station, although she admitted that a mistake was made in playing the wrong edition of the commentary.
CN got taken for by a PNC stooge, Vieria will not say things like that on his own station, that he had own, but will come on CN Sharma and do what he did. Sorry to say but Sharma is the loser. He is lucky that he only got four months, the same thing was done now three times. Can not be an excuse for that.
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+5 #6 MIssP 2011-09-30 17:37
This is ridiculous!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!
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+14 #7 Neville Quelch 2011-09-30 17:46
"President Bharrat Jagdeo on Friday decided to suspend the privately-owned CNS TV6 for allegedly libelous statements against Juan Edghill by Tony Vieria in a commentary four months ago." This is a civil matter, why is the President of a country involved?
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+14 #8 elian 2011-09-30 17:57
The longest rope has an end..dont worry Savitrie..god is in charge!!
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+9 #9 genyyus 2011-09-30 17:59
Another backward law which needs to be repealed. A fine would be warranted as well as a monetory award to the person libelled. But to take a station off the air is to remove an independent voice which every democracy need a lot of.
Citizens should be picketing the president's office.
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+8 #10 noel james 2011-09-30 18:15
are guyanese going to sit back and let this really happen ,do these govt officials watch american tv,they should stop comming to this country to enjoy the freedom that we have.dont give up brother sharma god is in charge
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+2 #11 mikayla 2011-09-30 18:27
Omg dats sad. no more indian soaps,birthday greetings,death anouncements etc.I think its unfair 2 da public.my daughter's birthday is comin up no birthday greetings 4 her its just not fair.srry guys
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+5 #12 madconda 2011-09-30 18:40
so David can't face the nation anymore, it beats me a to why are we putting up with this SH!T
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+6 #13 chris singh 2011-09-30 18:47
The PPP is totally shameless.To punish CN Sharma and let Viera get off scot free is blatantly reverse racism. Viera ought to be punished. The policy of appeasement will make this weakling Govt lose more at the polls. I hope CN gets a few seats and 'learn them' politics and business,Shame on Bharat, Shame on the PPPand shame on the toothless tiger ,the lunchman,who is their circus performer.
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+4 #14 Observer 2011-09-30 18:54
... so, they expect elections within four months, then?
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+8 #15 NathanN 2011-09-30 18:54
The PPP/C Government has limited the opposition 2011 election campaign. Free and Fair election thrown out of door, window and drill through the floor. PPP/C shut down Sharma (CNS TV6) voters must shut them out from the next Government.
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+5 #16 EMervin 2011-09-30 19:12
PAY BACK IS A [censored]! GWAN AND BIG RAT HAVE THEIR DAY COMING!
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+7 #17 EMervin 2011-09-30 19:14
Imagine Jagdeo suspending a private business operation while talking about the importance of private businesses. Can anyone see the head of Canada or Britain or America suspending the license of a tv station owner? Only under Jagdeo's corrupt, vindictive, lawless and dictatorial regime can such a thing happen. And this government is ripe for criminal investigations that could land EVERYONE IN JAIL! Yes, inlcuding that freaking arrogant, selfish idiot!
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+4 #18 Pelham 2011-09-30 20:30
Mrs Sharma won't say it but I will, "How politically convenient!"
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+5 #19 caban 2011-09-30 21:10
edghill hope you still have a con gregation after tomorrow for you have become part of the oppressors of the poor for these are the people that you will pay dearly for if you know the right thing and continue to do wrong
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+10 #20 caban 2011-09-30 21:13
30 people will be out of work but that does worry the president for he already has his pension after he step down he really has the people of this country at heart and would do anything that would hurt them and their family
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+2 #21 Guyanesebutterfly 2011-09-30 21:17
agdeo denied this a few days ago when asked by reporters....Elections round the corner, clear indication they feel threaten by Mr. Sharma...Guyana a demoractic country???? NOT UNDER THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT...yall let me hush cause they might want to dash my ass in jail for meking this comment!!!! GUYANESE WAKE UP!!!!!!!
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0 #22 Kerocene 2011-09-30 21:28
THIS IS ReDICKuLous!
This Governing is really Over Doing the thing man! What Is going on here? Are you seriously telling me that the This Country has NO FREEDOM of SPEECH, or No Freedom of Press? The [censored]PoorP arty is Trying to DO EVERYTHING Possible to Control the Elections... WHICH, LET ME SHARE with EVERYONE will Probably Happen The DAY AFTER Diwali! (Because they're going to USE the "Religious" Holiday to gain the "HEARTS" of the "COOLIE MAN". I am OUTRAGED that a Television Station has to be Shut Down. And it's Not for the reason what they're claiming! It's to SHUT THE PEOPLE UP! YES, EVERYONE is Guyana is being BLINDED by the [censored]PoorP arty!
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+2 #23 Kerocene 2011-09-30 21:34
Dear DemeraraWaves, You should think about closing up Shop Now, and Shutting down your Website, because Freedom of Press doesn't exist in Guyana. (Yes, I am [censored]ed that this nigga is going so far now!) What's Next? Shutting Down Internet from the Entire Country, Like in Egypt?
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0 #24 gtbeat 2011-10-01 00:15
"The wrong commentary was played", then you need more professional staffing to avoid future problems
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0 #25 Ayanna Williams 2011-10-01 00:55
This is arrogance. However, there is Someone mightier than Jagdeo. When He puts his hands on him, he will ball for murder.
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0 #26 PETER SAM 2011-10-01 01:15
I wonder when time passes and the ones in power become has beens, what would they tell those they abused? I look at PNC big wigs of yesteryear and I see them as burnt out derelicts, Hammy, Corbin, and many other former ministers, the PPP should take note.

Power today can bring penury tomorrow, I see much more powerful brought down.
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+2 #27 King Saul 2011-10-01 03:24
A brutal and repressive regime. The time has come for us to remove the PPP/C from power. Come on, look when you vote in the elections vote APNU. You rights, your fredom would be gaurantee. Can you image the effects of the order?
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+4 #28 Jag 2011-10-01 04:03
Jagdeo had to suspend him cause Jagdeo batty ah bite he that Sharma gon reveal he true colors by election and he know he aint stand a chance this election. So he removing every obstacle thats in the way, like if that will help him win the election. Jagdeo is an Idiot, sorry for who vote for the PPP.. Poor People Punishing
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+3 #29 guyamerican 2011-10-01 06:28
Only in guyana where the president can decide who to take off the air and who not to put on air the answer is the same , anyone who do not side with the govt , this is wrong to be putting people out of work because the small man is alreddy suffering these deeds have pay back if he has a heart because his mind will remind him of what he is doing or justice will catch up with him witchever one as the saying goes god dont sleep, actions like this only make sure that the PPP loose the elections its eather APNU or AFC out with the ppp .
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+3 #30 Jaguar 2011-10-01 19:55
There comes a time when the nation must say enough like the Egyptians, Lybians, Syrians. Barrat Jagdeo must be held accountability for the atrocities committed against the nation with the help of the PPP government and the silence of the Guyana Police Force.

The ERC is and was unconstitutiona l. There the puppet bishop needed to use the courts like the joke being played in the courts of a corrupt regime. The time is now to push back and stand up to a government elected with a mandate to govern lean and clean. Time for every Guyanese to stand up to a corrupt regime fleecing the nation.
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-1 #31 Camp Zone 2011-10-02 19:35
Was Jagdeo an elected President for Guyana,This man is causing Guyanese more pain has he leave office, people we need to VOTE PPP out this country is not going in the correct direction with this Government.every guyanes would be affected in time to come but only some will speak out stop looking at race and Vote for Country, INDIA and Black lets do it right we are the ones that are suffering
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+1 #32 Emma 2011-10-03 07:07
Vote For Sharma all natives of Guyana.
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+1 #33 Marnie 2011-10-03 10:04
My, oh my, oh my!!!Wonder if I could count the number of times I've heard the term 'a unified opposition'. Well, the masquerade that I saw played out on CNS over the weekend made me throw up my hands in total frustration. Try to imagine this ... reps of the political opposition sitting at one table, on air, mind you, hemming and hawing about what actions could be taken on Monday.
What the hell are they so scared of - that Jagdeo would postpone the elections??? So what?? He can't postpone it forever, never mind he has no respect for the Constitution. But seriously, I don't know that I've ever seen this - members of the opposition deliberating on an issue that concerns EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM AND THEIR SUPPORTERS and are unable to UNITE and decide on a course of action come Monday morning!!

I haven't felt so letdown before. The caller to the live programme on CNS was probably right. Jagdeo must be laughing his face off!!
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+1 #34 Owen Borrows 2011-10-03 10:56
Who the hell this Guy thinks he is, I know he is the president but that doesn't gives him the right to act like a dictator, This Guy needs to deal with the corruption that 's going on there.
Mr. Sharma on the other hand need to do a balanced job, I would normally look at his online video clips, he just to portray the negative, he only shows the very bad side of the country as much as it is, not to say, but there are a few good things that was done during the time too, so common Mr. Sharma be fair.
Now tell me how on earth, why the justice department allow Jagdeo to set his Pension, heard this guy pension is 3 million a month, well excuse me. This guy wants to travel the world every month? while most of the country hungry, this is a dictator. I hope the people in higher position looks into this, he doesn't deserves this. This guy is a BULLY. he needs to be STOPPED.
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0 #35 Action 2011-10-03 13:00
A fine after a hearing would have been sufficient. Who are the reasons why the president have so much power to suspend CNS so easily? For those ignorant people who only talk about god this and god that, you will learn that you had the power to stop things initially and fight against evil and the morally corrupt, but instead you stood by and watch things deteriorate. People supported a dictator and a thief before, instead of doing what is right, so why do you think that this dictator and corrupted thieves will not be supported also. The shoe is simply on the other foot.

The question is what are you going to do if the PPP loses elections. Are you going to make religious speeches, instead of helping the poor people in the church and the communities? I always say that people in the church should find out who are the neediest in the congregation and give half of the collection to those people instead of giving all to the pastor and the church organisations who do nothing but pocket it.

Guns and drugs are the evil of society now, and you god name calling idiots who keep spouting your blasphemous rhetoric when things go bad. Ask yourself these questions. Did I do enough in my power to help my society to become better? Did I do anything to help the guy, through donation etc., who was trying to help drug addicts before he was murder? No, all you so called religious good people just stood by with your head in the bible in church, or ignoring what was happening around you, hoping that one day Jesus will come to save you. Well don't do anything about what is going on in society and we'll see what happens between now and when God or Jesus comes to save you.
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-2 #36 GTgal 2011-10-03 14:45
Sorry CN,but always remember "Man appoint but God disappoint." Is this my country, i am upset with all that is going on. People stop this nonesense or god will take his position on u guys. Can't believe GT, can't believe.
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0 #37 Sigmond 2011-10-03 16:04
Quoting mikayla:
Omg dats sad. no more indian soaps,birthday greetings,death anouncements etc.I think its unfair 2 da public.my daughter's birthday is comin up no birthday greetings 4 her its just not fair.srry guys

You really live a misable life>>
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0 #38 Sigmond 2011-10-03 16:12
Quoting EMervin:
PAY BACK IS A [censored]! GWAN AND BIG RAT HAVE THEIR DAY COMING!

Smurvin, you getting nevous? Bet you already hid your Guyana passport......
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0 #39 Owen Borrows 2011-10-04 10:30
GTbeat, ah hear you, but where they gon get professional staff from!!! (the USA, Mr. Sharma will have to sell his studio to pay them.) They don't send their locals to do courses outside of Guyana, hence that how they report with not much knowledge. They need to lift the quality of broadcasting there, listening to the radio these days, its like we r downgrading, back in the days those guys did a good job, well spoken. Nowadays you will believe these DJ (Disco Jacka$$) are selling at Stabroek market, listening the other day, you won't believe how this guy talks, like he is fighting and so raw and creole, think the name is (Bevon OR Devon). Common we are supposed to educate and and role models, ARE THESE ROLE MODELS, gee well I don't know who is. Please Lets train our people to do a good not professional job but a well educated one.
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