Archive for March 22nd, 2011
BBC Caribbean service begins farewell to listeners
(CNS): After more than 72 years of broadcasting to the people of the region the BBC World Service is axing its Caribbean Service this week as part of the organisation’s enforced cuts. The service will come off air on Friday 25 March is one of the oldest English Language services that the BBC has provided. It started broadcasting in 1939 featuring its first programme Calling the West Indies. Liliane Landor, Controller , Languages at BBC World Service described BBC Caribbean as "The Caribbean Service, one of the oldest and most distinguished services that the BBC has provided in English." The Caribbean Service Transmissions form part of some 50 stations across the region including Radio Cayman.
BBC Caribbean Magazine has reported on the region’s music and literature, BBC Sports Caribbean provided by World Service has provided the Caribbean Programme Stream and BBC Caribbean Reports has featured morning and evening drivetime editions.
On the eve of the service’s radio silence the team will be hosting a special one-hour call-in programme looking at the future of pan-Caribbean news and current affairs. “During this programme, we hope to both reflect the legacy of BBC Caribbean but, more importantly, we will be looking at what the Caribbean can now do for itself in terms of cross-regional media coverage and output. In addition to this, we are planning to leave a legacy website celebrating the best of BBC Caribbean output over the years,” said Debbie Ransome from the BBC Caribbean service team.
Caribbean service is not the only one to be axed across the world a number of specialist language services are also being cut. Along with the loss of 600 jobs 25 March will also mark the end of an era after almost 90 years of broadcasting in some cases, from its headquarters in Bush House. The service has been forced to cut as a result of the UK coalition government’s cut in its funding to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office
The World Service has built an unparallel reputation in news broadcasting and the famous words “this is London” opening news is a by-word for accuracy.Although BBC executives have slowly reduced the World Service’s shortwave transmissions in all languages recently stating that shortwave is “a dying concept” in the world of the internet, given the recent unrest in the Arab world the difficulty for dictators to jam shortwave demonstrates its continued value.
Respect
AsI sat and watched "Let’s Talk to The Experts" tonight on Cayman 27 I was utterly taken back by the way in which the Premier presented himself. To add context to what I am about to share, let’s take a step back and take note of the fact that this is the man who is leading this country. This is the man who was elected by the people and for the people. This is the man we have entrusted our country to.
As I sat in my living room interested to hear the issues surrounding the debate regarding the proposed dredging ofthe North Sound, I found this discussion overshadowed by the behaviour of Mr Bush.
For starters Mr Bush made it very clear from the onset that he was there to push his political agenda and not answers questions. As he read from the mess of papers in front of him he was resistant to answer any question that required him to put the papers to the side.
As Tammi Sulliman respectfully asked him the questions the people wanted to hear the answers to Mr Bush failed to answer the questions and appeared irritated with her when she inquired again. Mr Bush, there is no need to get irritated with Ms Sulliman. If you would answer the questions and not skirt around the issue, she would not have to repeat herself. If you would speak from your head and your heart instead of rigidly clinging to your papers you would be able to, and should be able to answer the questions the people want answers for.
As I tried to listen to the points of discussion I couldn’t help noticing the total lack of regard Mr Bush had for the other members of the panel. While other members of the panel were sharing their viewpoints, Mr Bush expressed his total lack of interest in their thoughts and was busy making notes or doodling on a piece of paper in front of him.
I am curious as to what was so important that Mr Bush chose not to give the other panelist a little respect by taking the time out to simply listen to what they wished to share. If Mr Bush is not willing to stop for a short while and listen to men of respect like Mr Bob Soto and Mr Peter Milburn, what hope is there that he will stop long enough to listen to you or me?
It is clear by the way in which Mr Bush spoke to the callers, to the panelists and to Ms Sulliman that he has no respect for anyone. It was clear as I watched Mr Bush spend his time doddling and talking around questions he is not concerned by the same issues we are concerned about.
As I sit in my living room feeling a sense of emptiness after watching the man who was elected to run our country I wonder who the bigger disappointment is, those of us who keep electing Mr Bush or Mr Bush for letting down those of us who keep electing him.
Crime down say statistics
(CNS): According to statistics revealed by the police commissioner, the number of serious crimes that were reported during the first quarter of 2011 has fallen by almost 27 percent compared to the first quarter of 2010. Although robberies have increased by 215%, a significant decline in burglaries, murders, attempted murders and other crimes have pushed the overall numbers downward. Although there is a perception that crime is on the increase, the statistics tell a different story. Speaking at a special awards ceremony to honour members of the RCIPS on Friday evening, David Baines said the statistics reflected the hard work of the men and women in the police service. (Photo Dennie Warren Jr)
The statistics reveal that the only other serious crime category besides robbery to see an increase in reports in the first quarter of this year was wounding, which had risen to five in 2011 compared to only one in the first quarter of 2010. All other categories of crime were being reported considerably less frequently at the start of this year than last, despite the perceptions as a result of the continued surge in robberies.
“Reductions by over 43 percent in serious crime and 27 percent in overall crime this year, when compared to the same period in 2010, is testament to the hard work of our police officers,” Baines told the audience.
According to an RCIPS press release, there were over 400 people at what was the first RCIPS Outstanding Service Awards event. The gala event was designed to celebrate the contribution of police staff and community members towards keeping the Cayman Islands safe, and six awards were presented.
Among those awarded was Senior Police Constable Davis ‘Scottie’ Scott (right), who won the Police Officer of the Year Award. SPC Scott was honoured for the significant role he played in a number of high profile investigations in East End. His commitment, leadership and dedication to the East End community had been influentialin the lives of young officers assigned to work with him, the RCIPS stated.
Garnet McLaughlin won the award for Support Staff Member of the Year. She was described as helpful, friendly, warm and patient, even during the lengthy hours required in her job in the Financial Crime Unit. The staff of the Caribbean Club received the Community Award for their part in the apprehension of two men with a firearm on their premises earlier this year.
Special Constabulary Sergeant Craig Coe won the Special Constable of the Year Award for his work with the management and deployment of special constables. He played an integral part in RCIPS “Hot Spot” Team which has been instrumental in reducing crime in the Cayman Islands over the last year.
Detective Inspector Winston Forth won the Diversity Award for his dedication to the RCIPS in working with young people, schools and community events.
The Sister Islands Police Staff were given the Police Welfare Award for their donation of almost 1000 hours in accrued time to a colleague whose son needed medical treatment in Miami. The officer had used up all of her vacation time. Therefore, her colleagues pulled together to gift her their own accrued time, thus enabling her to spend time in the US with her son as he underwent treatment.
The event was completely underwritten by corporate sponsorship and tickets sales. It is expected that the Police Welfare Fund will benefit to the tune of around $50,000 from the night.
In his introduction Baines said public display of support for the event sent a strong message to the critics of the RCIPS.