St Helena : St Helena - EXCO REPORT 34 – 7th July 2009
Submitted by Saint Helena Herald (Juanita Brock) 10.07.2009 (Article Archived on 24.07.2009)
Today’s EXCO proved to be quite prolonged and the whole agenda consisted of items closed to the public.
EXCO REPORT 34 – 7th July 2009
Today’s EXCO proved to be quite prolonged and the whole agenda consisted of items closed to the public. The reason for such privacy is that we sometimes have to discuss commercial issues or things that are particularly personal to individuals, and today we were dealing with that kind of subject and so my report will have to be less specific than usual.
Our first paper concerned the possible regulation of the Media by ordinance. You will recall that over a year ago we asked News Media Services (NMS - Radio St.Helena and the Herald), to stop advertising in order to try and create a “level playing field”. The concept was that NMS would be like the BBC in that it is supported by the government whereas Saint fm and the Independent would be able to exist on advertising income as commercial radio and TV does in the UK.
There were other ideas around at that time, one was that we would consult with the public about the kind of media it would most like, another was that we would create a tighter regulatory regime by ordinance and that draft was in front of us today.
I have had a number of substantial complaints about the content of both radio and television programmes lately, and this ordinance will give us the power to actually impose fines or even take away a licence. That power would be exercised by a Commission that would consist of three people at each sitting – a JP, a Legislative Councillor and a member of the public. There will be a clear code of conduct as well as agreed guidelines for the Commission.
We plan to have extensive public consultation on this issue and combine that with the planned consultation about what kind of programmes and printed media you require. We hope that this will start as soon as possible.
The next item was to do with an individual request for the waiving of Customs Duty which was refused.
We then went on to deal with an issue that was raised recently in the press, and that was the actual paper qualifications of our Medical and Dental Practitioners. Under an ordinance dating back to 1910 we should ensure that all our doctors and dentists are registered with the UK General Medical Council. As currently our doctors and dentists come from elsewhere, most of them are understandably not UK registered although they are suitably qualified. Their abilities are thoroughly checked by NICO who manage the provision of such skills for us.
The draft Regulation before us added India, the Republic of Ireland and South Africa to our schedule of countries appended to the Medical Practitioners Ordinance.
The items discussed under Any Other Business were all of a confidential nature.
I indicated to EXCO that I hope to be able to make a broadcast on Friday just before I leave for Ascension and the UK letting you know the meetings that I have scheduled for the working part of my time away.
The meeting finished at 12.50 pm
Andrew Gurr
Governor
7th July 2009
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