Monday, April 20, 2009
A perspective on the Dominica Broadcast Act
Dear Editor,
It is always risky for a public servant to give his opinion on issues in the media. However, as a citizen in a small island state we must maximize the use of our resources.
I’ve studied the Broadcast Act from many angles and I will report to the authorities on my observations, suggestions and the way forward. But the debate continues.
In this new age of “Soft Power” the Broadcast Act must guide us to prosperity through stability, creativity, consistency.
The broadcast act is not about the right of a reporter to run around, record and repeat things - that is naivety. It is about the right of a people to survive by projecting their culture through industry, creativity and hard work - that is progress. Government must lead on this one; not other stake holders.
Who has the mandate? Who has the resources? I don't see any organization but government to lead on this one. I mean, who has the most to lose from a bad broadcast act but the Government.
And that is why this visit to China and other initiatives in other areas are so important. The Government wants to prepare its best and brightest for the next round of debates before moving decisively on this important piece of legislation.
The wrong way!
Generally, we have been listening to what people say and attempting to lead them. But when you go down that street, you only hear one set of voices that have very narrow interests. So we can’t go that way – we must change direction.
On one level of debate, elected officials must respond to the requests of their constituents; they want content and they want choice(and in many instances they want this now). On a higher level of debate, the government has to provide quality.
They must also deliver the quality content via the best infrastructure – human and physical infrastructure. And it is at this level we begin to appreciate that the media must be looked at as an industry requiring a system of administration and regulation for the good of all Dominicans. I have some basic requirements for the act to satisfy.
Our broadcast act must empower people to participate fully in the democratic process. Our broadcast act must identify the resources available to shape and fuel the media industry.
Our broadcast act must masks the minister but put his people’s interests in the forefront –absolutely.
Our broadcast act must promote education and culture first.
Our broadcast act must highlight the importance of information technologies and lead in that area.
And our broadcast act must guarantee a reliable news and information service.
If you have your checklist, then get a copy of the proposed Broadcast Act today.
Sincerely,
Raymond Henderson
It is always risky for a public servant to give his opinion on issues in the media. However, as a citizen in a small island state we must maximize the use of our resources.
I’ve studied the Broadcast Act from many angles and I will report to the authorities on my observations, suggestions and the way forward. But the debate continues.
In this new age of “Soft Power” the Broadcast Act must guide us to prosperity through stability, creativity, consistency.
The broadcast act is not about the right of a reporter to run around, record and repeat things - that is naivety. It is about the right of a people to survive by projecting their culture through industry, creativity and hard work - that is progress. Government must lead on this one; not other stake holders.
Who has the mandate? Who has the resources? I don't see any organization but government to lead on this one. I mean, who has the most to lose from a bad broadcast act but the Government.
And that is why this visit to China and other initiatives in other areas are so important. The Government wants to prepare its best and brightest for the next round of debates before moving decisively on this important piece of legislation.
The wrong way!
Generally, we have been listening to what people say and attempting to lead them. But when you go down that street, you only hear one set of voices that have very narrow interests. So we can’t go that way – we must change direction.
On one level of debate, elected officials must respond to the requests of their constituents; they want content and they want choice(and in many instances they want this now). On a higher level of debate, the government has to provide quality.
They must also deliver the quality content via the best infrastructure – human and physical infrastructure. And it is at this level we begin to appreciate that the media must be looked at as an industry requiring a system of administration and regulation for the good of all Dominicans. I have some basic requirements for the act to satisfy.
Our broadcast act must empower people to participate fully in the democratic process. Our broadcast act must identify the resources available to shape and fuel the media industry.
Our broadcast act must masks the minister but put his people’s interests in the forefront –absolutely.
Our broadcast act must promote education and culture first.
Our broadcast act must highlight the importance of information technologies and lead in that area.
And our broadcast act must guarantee a reliable news and information service.
If you have your checklist, then get a copy of the proposed Broadcast Act today.
Sincerely,
Raymond Henderson
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// posted by TheDominican.net @ 12:31 PM
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