Belize Broadcasting Authority holds consultations to revise Broadcasting and Television Act and Regulations.

The Belize Broadcasting Authority is holding consultations with stakeholders in the industry. The consultations are aligning with the authority’s plan to revise the Broadcasting and Television Act and Regulations. According to the General Manager of the Belize Broadcasting Authority, Mark Chavarria, the first consultation was with operators only, particularly radio subscribers and licensed and unlicensed subscribers as well as cable operators.

Mark Chavarria, General Manager, Belize Broadcasting Authority: “We had that particular case presented at the consultation to all the stakeholders and I’m not sure about the results but we had a question and answer segment so they could have put in their answer via their phone without being anyone knowing that it was them and most of the providers said that or agreed that we need some sort of censorship with regards to broadcasts.”

Reporter: So is that something that the BBA will be looking at based on those recommendations? 

Mark Chavarria, General Manager, Belize Broadcasting Authority: “Like I said that’s what we are consulting with all the stakeholders. If 80% says that yes we need some kind of censorship then we have an obligation, responsibility to Belizean people  to imply or to regulate or to put into legislation that’s something that will they want.”

Another round of consultations was held this afternoon.