Dear Editor,
I pen these words firstly to congratulate publicly the owner/s of 104.3 FM radio station in the mining town. This individual/s’ contribution and investment in the community is commendable and should be respected and acknowledged by all. Our community has been denied and starved of another medium for information and entertainment to be disseminated to the residents of the township and region as a whole.
The information and entertainment broadcast is good and refreshing and with time I’m confident that it is only going to get better.
I had the privilege yesterday morning to listen to one of the numerous programmes that are a constant feature on the morning segment of the broadcast. The conversation was one of interest, the UDFA/GFF debacle. The conversation featured executives who were sanctioned by the general council/congress, for those who were not aware. The individuals were expressing their opinions and views very emphatically with the intention of informing and of soliciting support from the listeners which they are entitled to do.
What I believe is not an entitlement, is for guests on any of the numerous programmes to use the radio as a medium to besmirch someone’s character and berate an individual for expressing a different viewpoint from theirs. Editor, one of the guests posited that, I, Mr Jermaine Figueira am a “back-stabber” and an “underminer.” These derogatory adjectives are nothing but a defamation of my character. Those words do not speak to the embodiment of who I am or what I stand for.
The underlying intention of the guests to satisfy their own end game by including my name in their discussion, leaves much to be desired.
Editor, I was no longer an executive of the association because I resigned even before the conclusion of the UDFA’s tournament. So for the guests to be referring to me in a very disrespectful manner in their discourse begs the question, why?
I do find it very ironic, Editor, that these executives on the programme, who posited that they want to see football in the region continue and develop are asking for clubs and players in their association who were not sanctioned, to support them. This was despite the fact that they know full well that if they do, they too will not be afforded the opportunities to make the national team or participate in any sanctioned tournaments, leagues or football engagements. Coaches of those clubs too, will not be given the opportunities to upgrade themselves or participate in any programmes or seminars locally or abroad either. Aren’t these guys a little confused with what they really want?
I would like to commend the efforts of the host of the programme for cautioning that unruly guest and asking for a mature and civil discussion to continue.
Once again congratulations to the individual/s and team working, at what we Lindeners refer to as “our radio station”; good work and keep it up.
Yours faithfully,
Jermaine Figueira
