Budget 2023: $266 million for NCN, $331 million for DPI

State broadcaster National Communications Network (NCN) has been allocated $226 million in this year’s budget while the Department of Public Information (DPI) has been allocated $331 million.

The 2023 Budget Debate began on Monday; this will be followed by a consideration of the budget line by line before it is passed in the National Assembly.

The monies are being allocated to the two agencies as subventions. Both agencies are receiving increases over their 2022 subventions.

NCN, which broadcasts on radio and TV and has several relay stations and regional radio stations, was allocated $250 million last year; DPI was allocated $310 million last year.

Last week, the Office of the Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton urged NCN to give equal coverage to Opposition Parliamentarians during the budget debate.

“The State media is obligated to also cover the views and activities of the Parliamentary Opposition in a fair and objective manner.

“NCN is funded by taxpayers’ dollars. NCN, therefore, has an obligation to its funders, the people of Guyana.

“It must cover the people’s representatives during their participation in national events as critical as the national budget debate.

“In so doing, NCN must ensure that such coverage is fair in terms of program schedule, duration, rebroadcasts, and relays,” the Office of the Opposition Leader stated.