Grenada, which for more than 15 years has been trying to draw up a media and broadcast policy to govern the local industry, may have hit another snag in its latest efforts.
Two years ago, the administration of Prime Minister Tillman Thomas established a committee to review previous work on a draft policy and to finalize and submit a final document for review by cabinet after public consultation.
The committee, which was chaired by president of the Media Workers’ Association of Grenada, Rawle Titus, was said to have completed a draft document that was sent to attorneys for government last year for legal perusal.
The draft has since been returned to the committee but most members are now said to be no longer involved.
Titus, who could not be reached comment, is reported to have withdrawn as chairman.
Kurleigh Prescod, who once worked as a senior executive at Columbus Communications, Flow Grenada, has been reassigned by the company to another overseas post.
A third committee member, journalist Lincoln Depradine, confirmed that he was no longer involved in the exercise.
He said he was asked to serve on the committee by former Information Minister, Senator Arley Gill.
“I notified members that since Senator Gill is no longer Information Minister, and I’m no longer in the employ of the government of Grenada, I do not think it’s appropriate for me to still consider myself a member of the committee,’’ Depradine said.
The status of the remaining committee member, broadcaster George Grant, is unknown.
Government has said that the proposed media and broadcast policy is designed to address issues such as the responsibility of media owners; training and certification of journalists; ethics; and the formation of a regulatory commission for media in Grenada.
The Thomas administration has also promised to enact a Freedom of Information bill, and to review the country’s libel and slander laws.
(Source http://www.spiceislander.com/?p=6601)
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