The state media need qualified professionals

Dear Editor,

I was listening to Sports News last Saturday morning and the reader had too many problems with basic words. When I say he could not read, I am being very mild. The IPL is on and he could not get the name of RCB (Bangalore) correct. Outside of that, he gave new and clumsy pronunciations to many words. I do not know where NCN is going (at least Sports), but in recent times, the whole thing has fallen apart.

Most of the announcers are just way below par. They can and maybe should fit in with the other stations, as these are mere entertainment spots for those who like to ‘shout and big up,’ but when it comes to quality broadcasting, I hope the new administration will take standards into consideration.

There was a time when sports was so well attended to − wide and prompt coverage, and quality readers. It would not hurt to go back to those who were unfairly slighted.

On ‘Just Sport’ and ‘Action Line,’ calls were made to Paul McAdam, Edwin Seeraj and John Ramsingh, to have Mr Henry Singh take over the Sports Department, and even though he is clearly very qualified and equipped, I think that such a role could go to either Naim Chan or Sean Devers (as they are more one-dimensional and sports biased). Henry Singh is a gifted broadcaster, who is also an educator, and I personally would be pleased to have him and Mr Franklin Langhorne take leadership and training roles in the state media, under the likes of a Margaret Lawrence or Dr Rovin Deodat.   Molly Hassan, Michael Gordon and Neaz Subhan are clearly misfits.

I firmly believe that broadcasting is not for everyone. Reading and writing and speaking in the state media must be elevated once again. We need qualified professionals and we need them right away.

Yours faithfully,

Roseann Bacchus