Local programming quota needed

THE EDITOR: The Carnival is over. But we’ve got a problem in the development of our culture, our artistes and our society. The Government has said that setting a quota for local programming in the electronic media cannot be allowed because it violates freedom of speech. That’s a serious statement by serious people. But how can we accept it? Canada is highly rated in the world as democratic, ethical and all that. But Canada established quotas for local programming. And do you know what happened? It emerged from stagnating in the backwaters of the overpowering USA to become a powerful force even in the US entertainment industry. The standard of performances has risen, the income of more and more of its artistes has grown enormously, the contribution of the entertainment industry to the national wealth has jumped, and the prestige of the country shines brighter. And nobody charges Canada with attacking freedom of speech.

Do our libel, sedition and similar laws violate freedom of speech? They don’t. They defend our citizens and the nation. That’s why we need a large quota for local programming — to defend our youth, our artistes, our general citizenry and our nation from foreign dominance and cultural impoverishment. This foreign dominance has introduced, emphasised and expanded a ghetto culture we never had, an anti-moral culture that facilitates HIV/AIDS, violence, promiscuity and crime, among other undesirables. Robert Townsend, the USA actor and producer, berated the junk we import from that country. We are in danger of becoming like the African prince in Coming to America: he was happy to take a room teeming with cockroaches and rats and he found the country gloriously amazing because its people threw broken glass into the street. He loved it all because it was “America.”

We must give our entertainers the incentive to weigh what is best in our culture, to be inspired by it and to inspire us in turn. All that multitude of songs and music that are never played must be aired, the abundant acting talent of our people must find expression in plays and films. Canada benefitted enormously from implementing quotas. Indeed, at the last Oscars they won the Best Foreign Film award. We can benefit too. The talent of TT will shine through the world. The entertainment, art and design industry will be pillars of our economy when our oil fails. Gayelle shows us the way. Already it shines brightly. It involves and educates us joyfully in all aspects of life in TT, including parenting.

It is always sensible and entertaining in what I have seen. A Trinbago approach to TV? But more is needed. As Byron Lee pointed out on Gayelle, very significant in the development of Jamaican music was former Prime Minister Seaga’s exhortation to the artistes to forget about USA music and concentrate on the two main forms of Jamaican music. The reason he gave was that the nation was about to become independent. Government, business and national commitment set the foundation. Bob Marley and the marketing thrust built on it powered Jamaican music through the world, including TT.

VAN  STEWART
Diego Martin