Declaring that at times of potential crises, such as Saint Lucia’s recent brush with Hurricane Beryl, the population sorely misses Radio Saint Lucia (RSL), Information Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire has reiterated plans to reactivate the station.
” At times like that you really miss Radio Saint Lucia,” Hilaire said regarding the hurricane’s recent passage.
“We are going to be going back on the air,” the Deputy Prime Minister disclosed, adding that the Government was awaiting final approval from the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL).
He explained that the population saw RSL as an authoritative information source in many ways.
The former United Workers Party (UWP) administration closed the station in July 2017, citing financial losses and unpaid taxes.
Several local radio stations have sprouted in the vacant space.
However, Dr. Hilaire warned of the danger of media houses sensationalising inclement weather, encouraging people to call in to describe what was happening in their communities during and after the event.
At Monday’s regular pre-cabinet briefing, the Minister told reporters that people were supposed to be indoors due to a national lockdown.
” It becomes a dramatic event in itself driven by the media,” Hilaire declared.
He acknowledged that media houses want to tell the story and provide the most up-to-date information.
“There are dangers in that, and you begin to wonder whether or not from a certain time to another time, there should be one voice in the country. Just one voice. Every station should carry the same information – the same stories,” the Castries South MP told reporters.
He said people would thus get the same information regardless of their station.
Hilaire stated in that way, individuals would not miss a particular announcement.
Indeed, we want one voice to report on the CIP scandal?
@anonymous. Get to stepping with that shit and deal withe the substantive matter. UWP made up a scandal (that is now dead) and people like you just run with it.
Any way, I do agree with the minister … We need RSL back. It was sher madness at the order of one to have the station closed.
@CROW WAKE UP!!! It is people like you who continue to allow politicians to run the country dry, have our young people believe that corruption is ok and we should let ALL politicians go free. Why? Because people like you stand to benefit from the proceeds of corruption. Further in this day and age RSL has no place in digital technology. Our current generation DO NOT listen to radio!!! GET A LIFE!!!
@Straight. You sound like an idiot looking to be relevant. In this digital age? Get a grip on yourself pal. Every country that I know have a national radio or a semblance of it. Why? So, that the national interests can be met such as in the event of a hurricane. How well do your digital stations fare? Don’t answer, I will tell you. They don’t! So, tell the Hurricane Allen to get a life because RSL should come back.
We need Radio Saint Lucia.
@ Straight- I have to agree with CROW. Your comment about “RSL has no place in digital technology” is by far the stupidest thing I have read all week! Radio is by far the most effective disaster warning media among the Caribbean, more effective than whatsapp, ticktoc, facebook and all the other diseases that plague the minds of our people and children. Radio has more outreach into vulnerable communities, vulnerable populations and fragile age groups ( elderly) than any other media source. Therefore, it makes perfect sense that during an expected violent season to either resuscitate RSL (after Chas and Fedee murdered it) or assign a dedicated existing RADIO station to cover before, during and after disasters. Good call by Hilaire!!!
Do not worry about nothing, but must be hurry to meet thy God ❗
How is radio St Lucia able to operate with no electricity or internet? Will they not need these like every order radio station to operate? So what difference would it make? Is it just jobs for the boys?