THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP) yesterday commented on the suspension of Channel Six licence, which, it claimed, is causing opposition forces to make the issue one of freedom of speech.

A press release from the ruling party added that Channel Six has had a long history of violating broadcasting rules, and to talk about killing any individual is unacceptable. To do so in relation to the Head of State is much worse.

The statement said it should be noted that if the Channel Six proprietor recognized that a caller talking about killing the President was a violation when it occurred live on television, why should he continue to rebroadcast the same programme at least on three occasions.

The PPP noted that this is not the first time that Channel Six sought to create problems and incite the people.

“We recall that during the 2005 floods, Channel Six aired a programme showing the President dancing with Minister Gail Tiexeira. The impression conveyed was that while a large section of people were suffering, the president and ministers were enjoying themselves,” the release said.

It pointed out that in fact the clip showed on the station was taken at a Christmas party a year earlier.

“This type of behaviour is unacceptable in our democracy,” it continued.

“We must have standards and ensure that in our society laws are upheld,” the release said.

The PPP said that it hopes that such violations of the broadcasting licence would not be repeated by Channel Six or any other medium in the future.