Those 'venues' now seems to be outdated and possibly, 'on their way out'.
Not because there is no need for public debate - there is more need than ever before.
Clearly, there are other reasons for the 'silent demise' of many talk shows.
What ever became of NATIONtalk, 'In the 'Back yard with the young professionals', 'Online' with Fernando Clark on PJD2 1300 a.m., just to name few.
For a variety of reasons they have gone 'belly-up' or 'moved on to elsewhere' at best.
Who was not removed of the air due to political pressure, gave up out of frustration, or due to lack of sponsorships, or lack of results 'on 'ground zero', or lack of serious callers and what have you more.
Still, there is one on 'Dutch' St. Maarten, that is still 'going where ???' after umpteen years, of the 'same old, same old &*&^', hosted by well known 'Award-winner', Mr. Lloyd RICHARDSON.
Judging from the number and quality of calls to his 'shows', it is over-evident, that either the show has either 'served any serious purpose' and/or, no longer meets the standard of serious callers, or whatever else the case might be.
As a matter of fact, it appears that the 'Award-winner' has 'shifted' the focus of his programs from serious, socio-economic issues to more 'lighthearted' topics such as U.S. basket ball competition, beauty contests, obviously in an attempt to steer clear of any 'negative' and/or politically controversial issues.
Thank God, Fernando Clark still managed to have his program aired on another radio-station and also thank God for other more serious talk-shows hosted by people like Billy D HAMLET and 'Air Supply' (Mr. LAKE)
However, it can not be denied that an other 'platform' is fast emerging, which allows for discussing the really serious issues facing the people of the island.
With the advent of internet-based 'websites', there seems to be more competition and/or even a 'paradigm-shift' in people being able to voice their opinions and to interact with one another on a global basis.
As far as our island is concerned, I must hand it to Mrs. Bibi HODGE-SHAW of the website www.smn-news.com.
With the help of her son, she has built a website, which really offers our people a platform through which they can freely choose any topic to express themselves with, without being 'interrupted' by a host and to solicit debate.
I therefore thank her and highly recommend her for offering this incredible service to the people of the island and outside of the island.
In addition, this would not have been possible however without the steadfast input of serious, controversial 'debate-material' by many of those who comment as well.
Whether those comments are complimentary or negative towards the various authors of articles and letters to the the site, using this 'platform' is clearly challenging 'talk' radio- and/or t.v., like never before
In that sense, we are witnessing a 'paradigm-shift' and the end is not in sight by any emans.
It goes without saying, that if 'talk'-radio and/or t.v. are to survive as relevant platforms, they might need a complete 'metamorphosis' to accomplish such.
If not, their route to the 'Museum of technological artifacts' might be very short.
In ending the grassroots St. Martin nation building hopes to continue contributing towards this process in a variety of ways.
Leopold JAMES
