The storm-coverage role of ZNS Bahamas and CBC Barbados this year alone, and the recent work of ABS Antigua and Barbuda, DBS Dominica, ZBVI and Radio Anguilla, among others, during Hurricanes Irma and Maria should further reaffirm the still vital part that public broadcasting has to play in this part of the world. The one thing that public and state broadcasters can assure is free, universal access to a strong signal. The myopic decision, then, to shut down or emasculate pubcasters in the Caribbean region says nothing abou t broadcasting and society and says everything about personalities and politics. When lives are at stake, a North American/Latin American, 'leave-it-to-the-market' approach is ominously devastating. Even the good ole municipal market, the very crucible of capitalism, is made public and regulated at the 'interest, necessity and convenience' of the public. Until our leaders figure it out, spare a thought, then, for the region's surviving ...
Broadcasting, Journalism, Filmmaking & Media Training in the West Indies