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Play More Local, Not Really!

Sep 03, 2015 Letters

Dear Editor,
Guyana is once more a democratic society and therefore we must encourage democracy everywhere, especially on our airwaves.
It appears as though some people are getting carried away with these new found freedoms.
I’m a lover of Pop, Jazz, Easy Listening and other genres of music and I am not overly impressed with current local music, which I think leaves much to be desired.
My point is that you cannot compel me to listen to an avalanche of local music,
I will simply switch stations till I find one that satisfies my taste and I guess there are many others like me.
Although local music technically has improved immensely, especially in area of Soca, the same cannot be said for the lyrics and music found on the majority of these recordings.
To put it mildly, we are simply not producing enough quality songs capable of making an impact internationally. The only local song in recent times that has impacted internationally has been Mystic’s “Collie Boy Dance”. There aren’t many more Guyanese songs that have attracted international attention.
It is ironic that most of the Guyanese music that was produced in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, many of which were recorded under primitive conditions, still sound good today and are still played on radio stations around the world.
Music is an art form that is enjoyed worldwide and the different genres should not be discriminated against.
The demand for 50% Guyanese music to be played on private radio stations is ridiculous and should not be tolerated; the call for NCN to play 100% local is equally absurd.
If these people are so obsessed with local music why not lobby for a radio station of their own where they can play 100% Guyanese music twenty four hours a day. It will be interesting to see what kind of audience they will attract.
NCN must not allow itself to be bullied but instead must provide a balanced music format which will appeal to listeners of all ages.
NCN, although subsidized by the government, has to compete for its share of the market place where advertisements are essential for survival.
It has to be open-minded when it comes to the music aired. No longer must we allow a Minister to walk into the studios and censor any calypso, which do meet with his or her approval. Also they must not allow anyone to dictate to them.
On the question of copyright, I agree the laws need to be updated and enforced but we need to carefully examine, draft and institute laws that cover all areas of intellectual copyright. Laws cannot be implemented radically but only after careful thought and due process, taking into account economic considerations. Although the pirating of CD’S by vendors is a cause for concern, the biggest threat to music infringements comes from the internet.
It is estimated that about 85% of popular music, including Soca and local music, are downloaded from the internet.
The fact of the matter is that technology has outpaced laws. It is common place for music files to be obtained via downloads and e-mails.
Kids of all ages and seniors are downloading something or the other from the internet.
One of the solutions to assist in the purchase of local music is for someone to organize a website where the public can go and purchase music via downloads of artists covered under their umbrella.
Michael Anthony

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