Recently there was an exchange on a BU blog which debated the merits and demerits of issuing a TV license to the Starcom Network. Perhaps there is another debate which Barbadians need to have as it relates to the tedium an applicant to the Barbados Broadcasting Authority (BBA) to procure a broadcasting license must ensure.
We came across the story of Terry Bent who has applied to the BBA to start-up a radio station called Paradise FM “to help boost tourism, promote the BTA and its events (for Free!) and make Barbados more appealing in these hard times. I will also be providing employment for Bajans, yet all I ever get is “shortly” what annoys me more than anything in life is being lied to, and at the moment it happens every time I try to deal with the Barbados Broadcasting Authority. I actually think they are hoping i will just give up and go away!“
BU does not intend to bash the BBA undeservedly but there is merit in anyone dealing with the BBA to expect an acceptable level of professionalism and by extension; efficiency. We hope Terry is able to extract a final position from the BBA sometime before 2012! Terry in our communication with him was very clear he has a problem with an inefficient BBA and NOT the government.
Read the Terry Bent’s (Paradise FM) story:-
Having finally calmed down from speaking to the Secretary of the Broadcasting Authority yesterday, I can now give you the latest update on our progress, or lack thereof.
Paradise FM Ltd filled in a 9 page form in July 2008. In May 2009 we were finally interviewed for 45 minutes. Now, over 6 months later, they apparently want us to answer further questions, which they decided upon 2 weeks ago , but have not yet sent to us!
I pointed out that the Law states it should take 4 weeks from receipt of application to making a decision (including the interview) and was told they had changed the law. I asked for a copy and was told it had not been approved yet, so I said “So it has not been changed yet” and was told it had in their eyes! I asked what the new timescale was, but they could not answer!!! (Because they have not changed it yet)
The Barbados Ministry of Tourism, and in particular the Minister, Mr Richard Sealy, have been so helpful it is untrue, Paradise FM will be of huge benefits to Tourism, The BTA and BHTA, but unfortunately this does not seem to be appreciated by the Broadcasting Authority! So how can you help?
Please email the Prime Ministers Office and tell them you support our bid, please ask all of your facebook friends to also email them as well and perhaps a deluge of emails saying “We support Paradise FM” may help you don’t even have to do anything just copy the email address and paste it:- pmo@barbados.gov.bb In Subject copy “WE SUPPORT PARADISE FM” and also paste it as the message!!!!
Please, Please do it, it will either help or drive them mad, if they get 500 messages tomorrow they will not be able to forget to post the new questions! Thank you for your support so far and when you ask your friends to email, get them to join the page.
A VERY frustrated Terry!
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