Caribbean Broadcasting Union supports Channel Five
The Barrow administration’s ban on government employees speaking to Channel Five is considered to be an act against the free media. We have still not been told by the government what conditions of our license were in breach. But the VIP, the PNP, Orange Walk television station CTV3 as well as Freetown Area Representative Francis Fonseca, are among those that have come forward in support of Channel Five. The government action against the free media has reached the Caribbean and the most respected organization that covers the Greater and Lesser Antilles, the Caribbean Broadcasting Union today issued a statement on the issue.
It says, “The Caribbean Broadcasting Union is very concerned by the decision of the Government of Belize to suspend normal relations with Channel 5 in Belize. The CBU feels that this unilateral withdrawal will only serve to unbalance the media landscape, by the Government denying itself the opportunity to have its positions represented to the people of Belize through this important media house. The CBU is firmly of the view that preserving the democracy of media and access to the media is a very healthy exercise in our developing region and is committed to furthering this aim. We feel that the present impasse can be resolved through reasoned dialogue between the parties and the CBU wishes to urge such dialogue as a first priority. We stand ready to assist in however we can, and reiterate our commitment to freedom of and by the media as an important part of our development process.”
We also point out that the Belize Broadcasting Authority did not institute the ban on the independent media as is prescribed by its own mandate. And nowhere in the UDP’s manifesto, did the party promise to end free speech. ‘Imagine the possibilities.’
AND…………..WHERE IS THE…..(B.P.A.) BELIZE PRESS ASSOCIATION?????????????????
In unity there is strength……………
I agre with CBU but dialogue can be conducted in a democratic society. There is no democracy under the Barrow administration. It is a a typical example of animal farm–all men are equal but some are more equal than others. Belize is in dire need of help. Please assist our free press and restore hope in our people.
i feel very sorry for Channel 5 but lets remember that Channel 5 ids still left to freely operate its business of news casting so I cannot for one see how GoB’s boycott is in anyway an act against free media. Just like if I choose to boycott Toyota and chose to buy Mitsubishi. Don’t I have a free choice to decide that I will adopt a to hell approach to Toyota so that I can buy Mitsubishi instead? Please correct me if I am wrong, but GoB’s boycott might be of poor taste, but it is not an attack on free press because Channel 5 can still read the news as it wants and when it wants.
The Government is sending a strong message to all media houses. If you step out of line, and do not go with the program then you face the consequences and channel 5 has been chosen as the first victim…more to come???. Last i heard the “D” for UDP stood for “DEMOCRATIC” or am i mistaken???
where is the Belize Broadcasting Authority? Leslie is clearly impotent in the post he has been given.
IS THERE A BELIZE PRESS ASSOCIATION????????????
If not……… There needs to be……