TATT warns Sat

THE Telecommunications Authority of TT (TATT) last night warned Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha general secretary Satnarayan Maharaj his comments about Tobagonians constituted a breach of the Clause D9 of the concession granted to his Tunapuna-based company Central Broadcasting Services Ltd (CBSL).

Maharaj's comments were broadcast on the Maha Sabha Strikes Back programme on TV Jaagriti which is broadcast by CBSL. Maharaj is the chairman of CBSL. In a signed letter to Maharaj, acting TATT CEO Cynthia Reddock-Downes said the disturbing comments made by him on that programme were brought to the authority's attention. TATT reviewed part of the programme and found that the comments made "can be seen as divisive and inciteful."

Reddock-Downes said the authority also believed Maharaj's statements were "inappropriate and derogatory to Tobagonians as equal citizens of this country." This constitutes a breach if concession clause D9. That clause states, "The concessionaire shall not transmit any programme, information or other material which degrades or portrays in a negative manner or discriminates against or encourages discrimination against any person or group by reason of race, origin, class, religion or sex."

The clause further states the concessionaire shall not broadcast any programme, information or other material which endangers the country's security, violates the law, is defamatory in nature, subversive to peace and public order or otherwise contrary to TT's laws.

Reddock-Downes reminded Maharaj the Draft Broadcasting Code recognised the broadcaster had a duty to ensure that standards were applied to provide adequate protection of audiences against "harmful, abusive or discriminatory material." Discriminatory material is defined by the code as "any material either by speech of visual representations, which targets an identifiable group in a manner that endorses or incites hostility, violence or anti-social divisions against such group."

She urged Maharaj "in the interest of ethical and moral standards" to pay due regard to the obligations of CBSL's concession and the conditions within the code. Reddock-Downes told Maharaj the authority "reserved the right to take further action" should there be any further breaches of clause D9. The Prime Minister, the United National Congress, Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Kelvin Charles, THA Minority Leader Watson Duke and Tobago Forwards leader Chrislyn Moore have all condemned Maharaj for his statements.