Kaieteur News launches radio on 25th anniversary

Guyana’s most widely circulated newspaper, Kaieteur News, celebrated its 25th anniversary Thursday and embarked on a new initiative in the media industry – radio.

According to Publisher Glenn Lall, it represents a personal victory for him after he was denied a radio license for many years. The focus for the radio programmes will be on national, regional and international news.

After the radio license was granted to Kaieteur News for about a year now, the official launch was held at the company’s Saffon Street Georgetown, studio. Kaieteur Radio will be broadcast on 99.1, 99.5 and 99.7 FM.

Chairman of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority Leslie Sobers assisted Mr Lall’s granddaughter in cutting the ribbon to officially launch the radio station and encouraged them to adhere to good broadcasting policy.

Mr Lall described the radio station as a healthy and bouncing new baby.

He said: “We are driven by our obligation to expand the right of free expression.”

As the radio station is fairly new to the company, Mr Lall promised improvement, to be fearless and independent, and bring a positive change in society.

“Kaieteur radio will maintain the uncompromising standards of Kaieteur News; we will offer programmes of exceptional and unrivalled quality and will not avoid controversial issues,” the Publisher said.

“The radio station will not commit itself to any political or personal interest; in a nutshell, this radio station will not be anyone’s puppet or mouthpiece,” he declared.

The radio programmmes will be designed to suit the population of the country from coast to coast.

“I intend, like I did during the past 25 years with Kaieteur News, to make this venture another success story,” Mr Lall said.

Music and comedy suitable for all ages, religious programmes and community announcements will be broadcasted while programmes will incorporate public discussions on meaningful national issues.