Expose local talent

THE EDITOR: Now we can actually see ourselves on television, with the introduction of Gayelle TV, Channel 7, and on March 29 Synergy TV channel 28, but why did it take so long? With the introduction of these two local cable networks, there is hope that more of our talent can be exposed. In the past when there was one television network owned by the state, we did not see much of ourselves, then came channel 6, and still we did not see ourselves, the Information Channel, Channel 4, did not also fill the void, although state owned. Gayelle has brought a whole new perspective to local programming and local television. The other two networks who are more established still lack in broadcasting local productions.

We need to see ourselves as we are Trinidadian, West Indian, nothing is wrong with bringing “foreign” news, “foreign programming,” we live in a global village, so we need to know what’s happening out there. But our first priority should be to see about ourselves first. We have the natural as well as the raw talent in Trinidad and Tobago. Most of our local entertainers have to migrate to foreign lands in order to be recognised in their given sphere. We need to have our own “Academy of Arts” and “Art School,” places where natives can come and express themselves without leaving our shores, at reasonable rates. With Gayelle on stream I hope this dream can become reality. To all at Gayelle, keep up the good work and may we see more and more of ourselves, our focus on “We TV.”

KEN SMITH
Woodbrook