Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe said on Feb. 21, that the government is considering 57 requests for commercial broadcast licences for FM stations, as well as requests for commercial television licences.
“We are reviewing these requests and, shortly, there will be an announcement of our decisions,” said Minister Wilchcombe, who has ministerial responsibility for broadcasting.
Minister Wilchcombe was speaking at the renewal of Bahamian commercial broadcast licences during a ceremony at the British Colonial Hilton.
In attendance were representatives of radio stations from New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco and Eleuthera, as well as government officials and broadcasting stake holders.
Minister Wilchcombe told the broadcasters that it is the government’s policy that all radio stations promote Bahamian heritage and culture and reinforce positive Bahamian values.
“In this regard, licence holders are encouraged to increase programmes that reflect our rich and diverse culture and our heritage,” he said.
Minister Wilchcombe said the government is also considering amending the broadcasting rules to impose fines for breaches of Section 10 of the rules, which outlines matters which are not permitted to be broadcast. He asked that they ensure that their stations fully comply with the rules.
Minister Wilchcombe encouraged licencees to submit suggestions and written
recommendations for the improvement of the broadcasting industry in The Bahamas. He said that since 2003, such input was requested from them.
“I must confess that I was rather disappointed with the lack of response and interest shown todate,” he said. “I had hoped that, at this forum, we would have begun meaningful discussions of your written recommendations to improve broadcasting.
“It would be better, for example, not to wait for the 2007 general election to consider amendments to the rules governing general elections.”
Minister Wilchcombe also addressed questions and comments from broadcasters
on various topics, including the possibility of dividing The Bahamas into regional broadcast markets, competition with ZNS for advertisers, satellite radio, music subscription services, the need to promote Bahamian performing artists and the importance of competition.
Minister Wilchcombe said such dialogue is important and is necessary for the growth of Bahamian broadcasting.
“We are in a developing industry, as far as The Bahamas is concerned, and our job must always be to look at it, to assess where we are and then make new decisions and move on,” Minister Wilchcombe said.
Eric Rose, Bahamas Information Services
