President Donald Ramotar, the Christies and staff of Little Rock Radio in New Amsterdam, Berbice
President Donald Ramotar on Saturday launched a radio station in Berbice, telling the audience about the gains made in press freedom since 1992 while stressing his Government’s commitment to maintaining this status.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) report, President Ramotar said the proprietors of Little Rock Radio, Rockcliff and Pearl Christie must be congratulated for what he described as their role with the multimillion-dollar investment. Stating that he felt very comfortable with the ownership of the new station, President Ramotar said radio must have a developmental role as Guyana is a developing country. He stressed, however, that while radio can be used for good purposes, it can also be used negatively.
Government has opened up the broadcast frequency with several new radio and television stations being granted licences. Among the new r–adio stations are Radio Guyana Inc, Telecor and Cultural Broadcasting Inc, and Hits and Jams Entertainment.
President Ramotar highlighted the role of radio in the genocides of Rwanda a few years ago and its use by the Nazis in Germany during World War II, and urged that such situations must always be guarded against. Several key issues such as the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project, budget cuts, and even the Anti-Money Laundering Bill which were adversely affected by the political Opposition’s stance were noted by the President who said radio must be used to keep persons informed. “More information is needed to ensure persons are aware of the misinformation being spread by those who want to distort the truth”.
New Amsterdam Deputy Mayor Harold Debydeen stated that “self-motivated and self-confident” are the words he would use to describe the owners of the new station. He urged them to not only be entertaining but also educational, as he offered congratulations on behalf of all Berbicians.
Rockcliff Christie, Pearl Christie, President Donald Ramotar and Naomi Christie in the transmission studio of Little Rock Radio
Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Mark Roopnarine said it was with great pride that he too congratulated the Christie family whom he described as a “transformational force in the community”.
He added that they are poised to take the Little Rock brand to greater heights in the community as they transform lives by doing more than just educating and entertaining people through their programming.
Congratulations were also extended by Region Six Chairman David Armogan, who lauded the family’s pioneering efforts in various businesses throughout the years. The sharing of information, he noted, is vital and mention was made of the fact that oft times, events are reported by various media before public officials responsible for the affected areas are even officially informed.
Giving a brief history of the Little Rock business operations, Naomi Christie, daughter of the proprietors, said the company’s initial radio licence application dates back to the early 1990s, followed by a re-application in 1997. The radio station began testing on February 23, this year with feedback being garnered from the local listening audience.
The station covers the entire Berbice area and extends to the East Coast of Demerara. It is also streamed online.
The Little Rock Company began operating in the 1980s with a hotel, then expanded in 2005 with the Little Rock Suites on the Main Street of New Amsterdam. It currently employs 60 persons.
By Guyana Times