GOVERNMENT OF BERMUDA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
PATI Information Statement
Name of Public Authority: BROADCASTING COMMISSION
Introduction:
The Public Access to Information Act of 20 IO not only gives the public the statutory right to information about how its government works, but also affirms an obligation on Government to provide information as requested. In an effort to be as transparent as possible in its operations, the Broadcasting Commission issues this statement to provide insight into its operations, services, and obligations to the public. The information provided includes operating procedures, documents that govern the way the Commission makes decisions, as well as some broad and general information about what the Commission does on a day-to-day basis.
Note that, despite the name of the Department of Energy, it is now responsible for Telecommunications, Space and Satellite as the Department of Energy and the Department of Telecommunications merged in 2018. The Broadcasting Commission is a ‘reactive’ body and only convenes when there are matters to be addressed.
Section A: Structure, Organization and Legislation [sS(l)a]
ORGANIZATION CHART 2024
Legislation
Telecommunications Act 1986 (only those sections relating to Broadcasting)
Films (Control of Exhibition) Act 1959
Obscene Publications Act 1973
Television Broadcasting Service Regulations 1994
Political Broadcasting Directions 1980
Sound Broadcasting Service Regulations 1994
Broadcasting Commissioners Act 1953
Government Authorities (Fees) Act 1971
Government Fees Act 1965
Section B: I) Functions, powers, duties of the Authority [s5(1)b]
Powers of the Broadcasting Commission
The duties and powers of the Broadcasting Commission are outlined in the Broadcasting Commissioners Act 1953.
Duties of the Broadcasting Commission
As required by the Broadcasting Commissioners Act 1953, the Commission’s duties are to:
- Review and rate films;
- Review and address broadcasting complaints;
- Provide advice and guidance to the Minister responsible for Broadcasting and Telecommunications;
- Conduct inquiries into any matter which may affect the exercise of the Minister’s powers under the Broadcasting Commissioners Act 1953; and
- Advise the Minister in the discharge of the Minister’s functions under the Broadcasting Commissioners Act 1953.
Section B: 2) Obligations under PATI Act 1s5(1)b]
To provide an information statement for the public and promulgate it [s5],
- To provide other information to the public so that the public needs only to have minimum resort to the use of the Act to obtain information [s6]. This includes:
- General information, e.g. activities of the Authority
- Log of all information requests and their outcome
- Quarterly expenditure (upon request) [s6(5)]
- Contracts valued at $50,000 or more.
- To respond to information requests in a timely manner [s12-16]
- To track information requests, and provide this data to the Information Commissioner
- To respond to requests from the Information Commissioner [s9]
- To amend personal information held by the Authority that it is wrong or misleading following a written request by the person to whom the information relates [s19]
- To conduct an internal review if formally requested [part 5]
- To give evidence for review by the Information Commissioner [part 6, 47(4)], or for judicial review [s49], if required
- To provide an annual written report to the Information Commissioner of the status of information requests [s58 (3)].
- To do anything else as required under the PATI Act and subsequent Regulations [s59, 60], including:
- Fees for Requests for information
- Management and maintenance of records
- Procedures for administering the Act
- To train staff and make arrangements so as to facilitate compliance with the Act [s6 I]
- To designate one of its officers to be the person to whom requests are directed [s62]
Section C: Services and Programmes [sS(l)c] Services:
The Broadcasting Commission reviews and rates films, and conducts inquiries as directed by the Minister responsible for Telecommunications and Broadcasting.
Section D: Records and documents held [sS(l)d]
The Broadcasting Commission keeps records of meetings held.
Section E: Administration (all public access) manuals [sS(l)e]
- Broadcasting Commissioners Act 1953
- Financial Instructions
Section F: Decision-making documents [s5(1)f]
- Broadcasting Commissioners Act 1953
- Financial Instructions
Section G: The Information officer [s5(1)g]
Contact Jeane Nikolai
Phone number 295-515 I, extension 1542 Email address jnikolai@gov.bm
Web-address at www.gov.bm
Section H: Any Other Information (s5(1)h]
None
Section I: Any Other Information To be Provided? [s5(1)i]
None
Section J: Information Statement: Copies and Updates [s5(2,3,4,5)]
Every public authority shall update its information statement at least once a year, and make it available for inspection by the public at reasonable times by [s5( l -5), PATI Act]:
Date Information Statement was updated: 19 January 2024
Locations of Information Statement:
Confirm copies of Information Statement are available at the following sites:
- Your principal office: 3rd Floor Government Administration Building, 30 Parliamnet Street, Hamilton HM12 Y
- The Bermuda National Library; y
- The Bermuda Archives; y
- Available electronically, y
- Website for public authority 19www.gov.bm y
- Have you published a notice in the Gazette indicating the places where the information statement is available for the public? Y
- With the Information Commissioner. y
Sign and Date:
19 January 2024