Guyana is in need of urgent deregulation in radio.

A significant characteristic of human beings is their ability to communicate effectively. In contemporary times, the advancement of technology has considerably enhanced the ways in which humans communicate. Mass media is constantly being revolutionized with the rapid evolution of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). As these technologies continue their dizzying development, new media have been conceived and are also quickly evolving. Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube MySpace and others have given people the ability to communicate in a highly specialized manner never before envisaged in mass media.     

In Guyana while there is the desire, capital and human resources for the expansion of some sections of the mass media, severe restrictions in the form of predatory legislation stifle in particular the deregulation of a key area in the broadcast sector; radio. Sadly after 19 years of democracy, Guyana is stuck with one radio station that is owned and controlled by the government.

Although some amount of deregulation has occurred in the print and television media, radio has remained firmly grasped in the clutches of government control. This has severely stunted the growth of radio in Guyana, while all other CARICOM democracies have made quantum leaps in their development and advancement of radio.

While underdevelopment in radio in Guyana might be a reality of myopic, narrow and in most cases partisan political objectives, the inflexible control on content that emanates from the government and its agencies, can most likely be seen as a violation of the peoples’ right to information.

This week it was reported in the media that Merundoi was temporarily taken off air because an episode was deemed ‘politically offensive’. After listening to the episode in question at http://www.merundoi.org.gy/merundoi/index.php (season 2 episode 29) I am still trying to figure out why such a decision was taken. There is absolutely nothing in the episode that appears to exploit traditional voting patterns. This programme follows the radio serial format of continuous dramatic fiction and is presented weekly. This would mean that with every episode the plot thickens and new revelations arise.

While Unique was asking Natasha an honest question on how she should vote, Natasha explains that in her home voting has a traditional pattern that she intends to follow. That is the basis of the voter education section of that troubled episode. The next episode might delve further into the issue on how some young people make their decision on voting. I am very sure listeners would want to hear how Unique decides on how she will choose the party for which she will vote. From all indications it seems as if Unique is determined to break the voting tradition in her home.

Where is the harm in this radio fiction? Are some persons scared at the way in which Unique might arrive at her decision? Merundoi is a very powerful series that has gathered a significant following in Guyana. I am very confident that the demography of its listening audience will reflect a generous mix of age, race, gender, location and political affiliation.

I can find absolutely nothing wrong with the content of the episode in question. The preceding episode dealt with Unique asking her grandmother some honest questions about voting. She also expressed her confusion in deciding how she should vote which escalated into a very heated discussion mainly because her granny laid down the traditional voting pattern of the family. That is a Guyanese reality!

The troubled episode in question saw Unique reaching out to her friend - something that most young people do - asking the same questions and getting the same response that she got from her granny. Again I ask where the harm in the script located. Many Guyanese are eagerly awaiting the development of the story to see how Unique arrives at her decision on how to vote.

I noticed that the management of NCN and Merondoi have come to some agreement and the programme will resume broadcast next week. Let us hope that the script writing is not altered to reflect Guyanese fantasy as against the realities that exist with regard to voter ignorance. After all this is an educational programme not a fairy tale.

Let Merundoi air and let honest voter education prevail.

Guyana is in need of urgent deregulation in radio. With the deregulation of radio in Guyana the establishment of sensible codes of practice which should guarantee the increase of quality broadcast standards should become reality. This should hopefully eradicate the triviality that currently passes for content regulation in radio.

 Medel & Salomon (2011) have persuasively stated that: “The freedom of expression is a pivotal component of our individual development – as human beings and as “political animals” – and to improve and radicalize democracies.”

If Guyana is indeed a democracy as our leaders would have us believe, then radio should be allowed to function democratically. Content regulations and censorship on radio must be done against established codes of practice and not by misguided fears and political coercion.  

Remembering Sr. Beatrice Fernandes OSU.

The Catholic Church in Guyana has lost an outstanding member in the passing of Sr. Beatrice Fernandes OSU. A woman of great vision with an unrivaled commitment to the development of youth in Guyana, Sr. Beatrice presided over the administration and execution of a number of youth development programmes throughout the length and breadth of Guyana.

One such programme with which I am familiar was Young Apostles on the Move (YAM) that was primarily responsible for the spreading of the good news of Jesus Christ nationwide. Young people, who were serious about spreading the gospel while making a difference in their lives and the lives of others, were recruited, trained and placed into various communities to serve its people to the best of their abilities. Sr. Beatrice had a very keen eye for talent and potential in youth. She systematically honed those talents she found useful in those she recruited and strategically comprised YAM teams to utilise the strength and talents of its members. As a result, bible study, music, art and craft and sport were not the bugbear of a single person but were shared by team members who often times performed exceptionally on missions.

YAMs touched the lives of many through their outstanding and dedicated ministry. However, the lives of many YAMs were significantly influenced by their interaction with Sr. Beatrice. She was a pillar of strength and an amazing role model worthy of emulation. I am truly honored to have been graced with her influence, guidance, discipline, love and prayers while serving as YAM in Guyana.

Eternal rest grant to her O Lord. And let perpetual light shine on her. May she rest in peace. Amen.

When will West Indies cricket return to a emblance of its past glory

This month’s Esquire (Middle East) magazine features a beautifully written article on West Indies Cricket by Paul Wilson entitled, “So What Happened?” In this piece the writer accurately discusses the history of West Indies Cricket and traces it to its current sorry state. He even provided an explicit exposé into a new film that celebrates the former fierce and victorious West Indies team which has now morphed into becoming one of the worst cricketing sides in the world.

As so many commentators have done before in eulogizing the glory days of West Indies cricket, so has Mr. Wilson. He began by highlighting the crucial Test Series against Australia in 1975-76 when the Aussies strike bowlers Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson paved the way for the Windies side to receive a humiliating 5-1 thrashing. This appalling defeat, Wilson believed, was the turning point for West Indies Cricket in the mid-70s. He writes, “With the psychological and physical impact of Lillee and Thomson fresh in his mind, Clive Lloyd resolved that the West Indies would do unto others what others had done unto them, only harder.”  

The writer went on to highlight that after Lloyd had developed a well-oiled West Indian cricketing machine, they would lose only two test series in two decades. These were indeed the golden years of West Indies cricket which came to a crashing halt by the late-90s.

It is very refreshing to learn that a full length film has been made focusing mainly on the best years of West Indies cricket, celebrating the only uniting Caribbean force known to mankind. Fire in Babylon according to the writer is a film directed by Steven Riley that deals with the formation of the indomitable West Indies side of the late 70s and 80s. Wilson states that, “Fire in Babylon is a film rich in evocative archive footage and contemporary talking heads, and then there’s the music. As well as a soundtrack by with the likes of Marley and Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, who emerged in parallel with this West Indies team, the film features live performances of reggae and mento (Jamaican folk music) songs about West Indies cricket.”

Fire in Babylon I believe would be an excellent film for cricket fans, especially West Indian fans many of whom are now accustomed to seeing their team viciously snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

The article ends with some very blistering views from Mr. Michael Holding. One in particular that stands out for me is: “And I don’t think there is a good rapport between the West Indies Cricket Board and its players. My honest opinion is we have a few people involved in West Indies cricket right now because of what they think they can get from West Indies cricket, not what they think they can do for West Indies cricket, and that is wrong.”

I wonder when West Indies cricket will return to a semblance of its past glory. Poor sporting administration, fetid politics, lack of technical application on the field and a fractured relationship between the players association and the Board are certainly not helping in any way possible.

Drama unfolds in FIFA

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has found itself deep in the most publicized corruption scandal in its long history. Investigations are well underway but two of its most senior members have been suspended. The most damning accusations of vote buying have been greeted with the sternest denials from both Bin Hamman and Jack Warner.

Now it seems as if Warner is about to as he says “unleash a football tsunami on the world of football” with revelations that he knows about FIFA president Sep Ballter’s shady dealings of giving the North, Central American and Caribbean federations (CONCACAF) "a gift of one million USD… to spend as it deems fit" this month.

However with the whistle blowing going on in the highest offices of FIFA its incumbent president is left opposed and will most likely return as president for another term. He has been cleared of any suspicion and the two ‘brothers’ are left with the piercing media spotlight following them around.

One cannot help but wonder if fate had a role play in the timing of these accusations? Regardless of origins of these accusations, one must wonder about their perfect timing; just as some forceful competition was dribbling its way through for a shot of the FIFA presidency.

What happens as the investigations unfold will make for really interesting reading. FIFA itself needs serious reform however. The way it administrates over the sport is too personal. It is time new structures are put in place at FIFA to ensure transparency and accountability. But this will never happen under the stewardship of Sep Blatter. He has been there too long in the broken system of international football.

In the meantime Bin Hamman and Jack Warner have to take to the bench with their red cards and sit out this election. I hope that the investigation truly brings justice and the right persons are dealt with accordingly.

West Indies Cricket and Performance Management

A key feature in modern human resource management practice is performance management systems. This simply means that contemporary scientific managerial constructs are now conventionally accepted methods for assessing efficacy of human resources and forms the basis of modern industry. In its most basic form performance management systems facilitate continuous and dynamic assessments of human resources and trigger a number of solutions that can be utilised by management to ensure that the maximum efficiency of its human resources is realized.

I am happy to see that finally the West Indies Cricket Board is beginning to embrace performance management systems in dealing with its players. If used correctly, this can result in greater benefits to Caribbean cricket.

The objectives of the Board must be clear and must be agreed upon by all parties concerned. Failure to reach the stated objectives must result in consequences for those found liable. Likewise, achieving or over achieving objectives also produce significant benefits and rewards that will affect positively all involved.

Cricket has evolved significantly as a sport since its conception in the 16^th Century. Talent alone is unacceptable on any modern cricket pitch. Today cricketers are far more methodological, astute and technically correct. Cricket has a plethora of new rules especially in its shorter forms that players need to think through and adapt thus enabling them to function effectively to win games. Therefore, a lot of preparation, training and strategizing need to be done by any team before heading into a particular match or series.

 Professional cricketers cannot afford to go to matches and perform constantly in an ad hoc, hit or miss manner and expect to be retained in any squad. The reason a team is formed is for that unit to work together at achieving a common goal. In the West Indies case, I would assume that goal is winning matches. So while many have argued strongly against the exclusion of certain players with ‘experience’, I do not see why such measures should be frowned upon. For too long West Indies cricket has been in a sporadic mode. One could never know what to expect from the team in a game of glorious uncertainty. For too long the uncertainty of West Indies cricket has been inglorious. West Indian supporters at some point must be honest with themselves and demand more from their players.

I began by very briefly touching on performance management system and would like to end by highlighting that while performance related compensation is arguably one of the most discussed elements of the system, training and development plays a very important role. Should the West Indies Board fully embrace the use of performance management systems, they will surely recognise that the training and development of players is immediately required and must be continuous. The WI Board must significantly work to raise the level of regional cricket if it wants to field a team of competent players. Mediocre domestic competitions cannot produce good players. Not when they have to face other players at the international level who live on a diet of serious professional domestic cricket all year round.

The management, coach and players of the West Indies team must ensure that discipline and professionalism are the hallmarks of the team. Training and development in the areas of technical and managerial competencies must be an ongoing process for all players. These strategies will ultimately make better players and better captains.

No longer can we expect one or two batsmen or bowlers to save the day. The team must function comprehensively as a unit, learn to win and win matches. I wish the WI Board and the team every success as they embark on yet another cricketing journey. I also hope that while the WI cricketing institution provides training and development for players that players themselves assess their strengths and weaknesses and engage in various forms of personal development.

If a player is dropped, then that player must be briefed clearly and comprehensively about why he has been dropped. He must be shown the steps that must be taken to ensure performance improvement leading to selection at a later time. The West Indies Cricket Board must continue to move cricket from being an amateur pastime to a professional sport.

GAPF powerlifters continue to lift Guyana proudly!

I would like to congratulate the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) and their outstanding athletes who performed excellently at the 5th IPF/NAPF CPC, maintaining Guyana’s dominance in regional Powerlifting.

Once again Randolph Morgan, John Edwards, Kenneth Melville, Karel Mars,  Colin ‘Mr. Clean’ Chesney along with our lone female Dawn Barker who comprised Team Guyana, made light work of the weights offered them in their categories to bring home six gold medals and one bronze.

Even though unfortunately Chesney was not lucky to gain any medals, we are all proud of the team effort our powerlifting athletes executed to once again keep the golden arrowhead very visible among the other Caribbean countries, letting them know that Team Guyana remains a powerful team with which to contend.

What I find most powerful and astounding is the tremendous adversity under which our Powerlifters continue to operate and still continue to make us proud in regional competitions. Once again the GAPF is faced with the dilemma of severely inadequate sponsorship; this time forcing the Guyana team to be reduced to six persons. The shameful way corporate Guyana treats Powerlifting needs to be significantly addressed by the Federation and its stakeholders.

Banks DIH the ‘saviour’ of all things sport and Buddies Gym along with the other businesses establishments and persons who might have contributed financial assistance, time and energy in fielding this successful Guyana powerlifting team must be congratulated.

GAPF athletes have continued to set a standard of excellence in the sport of powerlifting both nationally and regionally. I sincerely wish that corporate Guyana begin to recognize that the sport of powerlifting is a deserving discipline that is worthy of their financial support.

Once again to the GAPF President Mr. Peter Green and the executives and athletes of GAPF, I salute you for another display of excellence and discipline in the ugly face of adversity. Continue to do well and make us proud. One day I sincerely believe that corporate Guyana will finally recognize that the sport of powerlifting has the potential to lift brand awareness and create better brand positioning at home and abroad should they care to expand their target markets sensibly.

CARICOM needs to place severe sanctions on Barbados for their continued Immigration violations

I read in the Jamaica Observer Edition on Thursday March 24^th an article entitled Finger-raped in Barbados - J'can woman deported after shameful cavity search by immigration officer (http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Finger-raped-in-Barbados_8573453) and could not help but shudder at the way some of our CARICOM neighbors treat each other. Barbados within the last 15 years have allowed many of their immigration officers to treat travellers from certain Caribbean countries in the most disgraceful, disrespectful, unprofessional and inhumane manners all in the name of national security.

The recent violation of the young Jamaican woman who was allegedly forced to undergo repeated virginal cavity searches while being verbally abused in the process reflects horribly on the professionalism and integrity of the Barbados immigration system. What makes matters like these more ugly is the fact that the offending party or parties continue to operate with little or no reprimand from their superiors or those responsible for governing the professional and ethical standards of the Barbados immigration office.

As Jamaicans suffer, so do many Guyanese. Many are the tales of unprovoked, demeaning treatment and most time inevitable deportation of many Guyanese who find themselves on the wrong side of the Barbados immigration system. While it is true that some persons do present themselves in many countries including Barbados with the intent of engaging in nefarious activities, all persons from certain Caribbean countries should not be classified as lawbreakers.

CARICOM for the last decade have been trying to create a Single Market and Economy for the Caribbean where one of its tenets is the free movement of Caribbean people. Yet CARICOM seems helpless in bringing one of its wayward members (Barbados) in line with regard to its human violation and discrimination that passes for immigration service at its airport.

I would suggest at the next heads of government meeting CARICOM leader seriously address the situation existing at Barbados Immigration! It is high time some form of sanction be placed on the Barbados government for these repeated immigration transgressions that it seems incapable of handling.

Barbados is not Australia. And Australia has one of the most rigorous immigration systems in the world. However as rigorous as the Australian immigration system is, its officers are highly trained, professional, courteous, respectful and sensible.

Maybe some professional training needs to be conducted for Barbados Immigration Officers. The region needs to denounce this kind of atrocious unprofessional conduct of this female Bajan immigration officer. I expect all the women's rights groups to rise up and denounce this dastardly act carried out by one woman to another.