Dear Editor,
I paused and thought deeply after reading Hilbert Foster’s ‘Franklyn Langhorn is one of Guyana’s unsung heroes’ (SN, January 9). I agree and indeed radio is still very much alive in Guyana. We have a great history: Matthew Allen, Pat Cameron, Bibi Narain, Clem David, Rovin Deodat, Pancho Carew, Christopher Dean and Ron Robinson (the writer’s list) and I add my few others ‒ Margaret Lawrence, Phyllis Jackson, BL Crombie, Naim Chan (sports) and I just beg forgiveness for the few I am missing, but others can extend the list.
My question is whether or not this kind of history is being perpetuated. I will say yes to this. On the ladies’ side, we have some excellent women, namely Michella Abraham-Ali, Andrea Joseph, Kean McRae and Nerissa Pearson. As for the men, I can come up with Franklyn (as was listed by the writer), Meranno Isaacs and Henry Singh. Meranno has revived Pancho Carew in many ways, and if Franklyn is excellent in poetry, then we have no need to worry, as his substitute, Henry Singh is quite on par.
However, shoddiness and misplaced programmes and personnel really bother me. The ‘Afternoon Request Show’ misfires when Meranno Isaacs is not there. When Jaideo Dudnauth takes the morning show (Early Bird), the only thing missing is a ‘battle a rum’ and a tablespoon. Good radio is about a kind of ‘classy’ way of speaking and reading; one has to be radio suited. I still cannot fathom his role at NCN.
Mr Foster is a newcomer to radio, or at least to night radio, and I am glad that he has an ear for good programming. The ‘Voice of Guyana’ is not all for entertainment; it is about appealing to listeners’ intellect and moral responses. I like 100.1 Fresh FM. Meranno does a good afternoon show and Neeaz Subhan is a treat on Sundays, and now maybe Tuesdays (night, as hopefully there will not be the start and stop syndrome with this new programme). Maybe, here is a format for 100.1-use six to midnight for easy listening. I listen when I can to ‘Simply Sunday’, ‘Tuesday Night Cruise’ and ‘Thursday Gold’. What is very telling on me is that I cannot miss ‘Ron’s Rendezvous’ and the ‘Triple M’ show and these are conflicting with some fresh programmes.
I see the longevity of radio and I hope that NCN will never become a political football. The writer spoke of listening online, and I am clueless about what he is saying. Is NCN on line?
Yours faithfully,
Rudolph Ali
