Gov-Prop 1

Without doubt, the silliest idea in Friday’s Throne Speech was the announcement that the Government is to set up its own information TV channel.

“It won’t be for propaganda,” said Premier Alex Scott with a straight face. No, this will be to “promote new and existing Government services and programmes”, and allow the Government to get its message over in an unfiltered format. Hmm. If it’s going to avoid propaganda the new channel will need to broadcast information, not a message.

The other stated goal of the new channel is to “increase Bermudian content on the airwaves and provide an opportunity for young Bermudians to enter the field of public media”. But wait. Doesn’t Fresh TV do that already? They already seem to be struggling to produce enough quality local content to fill their schedules; wouldn’t Gov-Prop 1 just further thin the talent pool available to both channels?

Even if the Government’s intentions are good, however, TV is the wrong format. Information is something that people need to access when they want it. It needs to be searchable. TV meets neither of these needs.

Perhaps the Government believes that people are more likely to hear its message if it’s pushed at them by a TV channel. But really, who is going to watch a programme promoting the Social Agenda or the BIC Report when Lost or The Apprentice is on the other channel?

The Government should divert the funds earmarked for the new channel into its web site instead. It should be creating RSS feeds for its press releases and podcasts for its press conferences; this would enable interested citizens to be alerted as soon as there is new content and access it at a time convenient for them. Although the Government portal recently underwent a facelift, content is still thin. I still cannot find Friday’s Throne Speech on there. I believe that the Government is working with LookBermuda to make videos of some Government press conferences available online, but apparently these will not be published until the evening news programmes have had chance to air them. Why? It’s the content that’s important, not the channel that delivers it, and content is best when it’s fresh.

The web is a cheap, efficient and useful way to distribute information. A TV channel is expensive and inefficient. This is one Throne Speech pledge that the Government would do well to quietly forget.

Comments

[Adjustah on 07.11.05 at 07:42]

Finally!Tthe Bermudian public have cried out that local television sucked and could not get any worse.

Lo and behold, the Government have listened and have promised to indeed make it worse...

So, really. Can we expect a Ministry of Government Programming? Very Orwellian, indeed. What programming can we expect?

3:00 - 4:00 Tea with Terry
4:00 - 5:00 Deoderant Dale's Hygene for Expats Hour.
5:00 - 8:00 P' Did He and His Sycophants: Live in Concert.

[Adjustah on 07.11.05 at 08:05]

Sorry, that's "P' He Didn't Just Say That Diddy?"

[Yet Another Limey on 07.11.05 at 09:50]

I'm looking forward to some of the films:

8:00 - 10:00 Attack of the clones - Renee Webb and her clone army take over Bermuda showing she wasn't joking about the place being run by people who look like her.

[Tiger Bay on 07.11.05 at 09:54]

Given Alex Scott's orwellian propensity for spin, it's fair to predict that this channel will be a loathesome propaganda emission. Sad really - they feel they have to re-educate the populace to their view instead of representing the will of the populace.

Those lonely off hours between Alex's lies and Ewart's self-congratulations will probably be filled with shows from the Caribbean. Sharing of TV content with the region is a recurring theme for CARICOM (hence the government sponsored broadcasts we already get on ZBM).

[Big Bad Wolf ^..^ on 07.11.05 at 10:19]

The Station will be for PLP propaganda,pure and simple.They hate how the free media handle their spin.This station will be a means to get their message out un-filtered.The only people that will watch this channel are the PLP drones that are already in their camp.Complete waste of tax payers money and time. End of story! ^..^

[ruby tuesday on 07.11.05 at 10:36]

I'd love to see each clown in the cabinet have his/her own TV show. Dale could do a Bermudian "What not to Wear", Scott would be a natural on The Muppets (or any puppet based entertainment.) Brown could take his home shopping schtick on to TV seamlessly.

[SmokingGun on 07.11.05 at 11:31]

Limey I think you should send them a bill for your sound advice. Offer to set up a blog for them. They need help with their web-site for sure. As far as a TV Station dedicated to the PLP why couldn't they just propose a weekly "one hour with Alex" program run on the current stations?

This is a typical knee-jerk over the top reaction by the current government in a foolish effort to control Bermudian's thinking. These guys have a great ability to spend a ton money on the most inane things.

[Cupid Stunt on 07.11.05 at 16:15]

I'd like to know if this new channel will be Black & White, or Colour.

[Tired Of Politics on 07.11.05 at 23:36]

Sigh...
Wasn't the entire throne speech a waste of our time? Now we get a whole channel for our lovely dictator, i mean leader Alex Scott? Who does this guy think he is... :) First he insults England my asking the Duke to read how getting rid of his home country is natural progression for Bermuda and all the other lies he had him read, then we get a waste of money like this so he can push his lies out whenevr he wants to...? Have they done any research at all? Does anyone actually watch Bermuda Tv except to hear the news? He really thinks it's the media and not his own stupidity and arrogance that give him the bad name he has apparently... Having his own channel wont make anyone think more of him... he is heavily diluded in this line of thinking!

-Tired OF Politics

[Tim Taylor on 07.11.05 at 23:43]

Government may possibly take over and reinvent Fresh TV as an "Information Station" - as I'll bet they will - (nobody in Government has the slightest clue as to how to run a TV station, but Elmore does, and with Government backing he can, at last, buy some decent pro equipment - he's already got the know-how). That doesn't mean they'll have an audience, though.

Local TV is dying, as every broadcaster and advertiser will tell you, because the number of viewers is tiny, and dropping. Radio is next. The new generation don't listen to radio, they listen to MP3 players and podcasts. Ask A local radio salesperson what a podcast is.

They won't know.

The bottom line is that Goverment's desire to push propaganda is not met by the public's desire to hear it. The station will only be on the air because Government (in other words, we) are paying for it. No advetiser would go near it. We'd much rather tune in to Survivor or Big Brother or (always) Oprah.

Phil is right on this one - it would be a lot more cost effective, state of the art and attractive to young voters to do web. TV is OLD, man.

Signed, Media Pro.

[Tiger Bay on 08.11.05 at 08:12]

If Government want to get the message out, then they should pay the existing channels to broadcast Parliament. That's it - they don't need a personal TV station. We don't need them to have one. We don't want to pay for this abusive extravagance.

An added benefit - by broadcasting parliament, the stations might meet their new 10% local music quota.

Because lawd knows, the PLP do enough song and dance up there!

-

The PLP should drop the Progressive from their name. They are not progressive. The Regressive Labour Party. Their rule by dictat, their hectoring attack spokesmen, their economic hamfistedness, and their enthusiasm for "community re-education" smell more like the third-world socialist failures of the 1960's.

[Fourth Estate on 08.11.05 at 11:47]

"[the PLP spokesman] said that as a former Government Minister Mr. Edness knew it was extremely difficult to get a factual message out to the public in the presence of a hostile media”

Hostile media? Oh please. Back in the day, Quinton took his blows from the media. But, in his favour, he refused to be alienated or reclusive. He continued to work with the press - on the days that they loved him, and even more on the days they didn't.

The PLP get pissy when the media don't buy into their doublespeak.

[stonewall jackson on 08.11.05 at 11:49]

Let the PLP start up a propaganda channel, who cares. Their day is done. A majority of the voting public are tired of them. They will lose a referendum(I hope I spelt that right) to take Bermuda independent and they are going to lose the next election.

[hotspur on 08.11.05 at 12:20]

Does anyone have any idea what this will actually cost to setup and run? Will the Government make that information available?

[SmokingGun on 08.11.05 at 12:29]

If I were the UBP I would be booking ad space on the PLP's New TV Channel.

Then I'd just have someone sitting in a simple chair asking questions.

Where are the houses?
Where's the money?
Where are the Tourists?
Why is this TV station here?
Why, what, where etc etc....

[J Starling on 08.11.05 at 18:39]

I am not opposed in principle to a government owned TV station. One must remember that the British BBC is also publcly owned, but it is not a tool of the state. Provided the station is totally free to investigate everything critically, it could be very useful. Right now private media might not be critical enough due to corporate interests. Additionally, as boring as it might be, if it could work like C-Span and broadcast ALL senate and parliament sessions, this would be of benefit to democracy. I would also suggest it give full coverage to such events as Cupmatch and the like. If transparent and critical, it would be good. Could also provide equal 'propaganda' time for elections and televised debate. Naturally, if it becomes a propaganda tool in and of itself we should smash it. But I'm willing to give it the benefit of the doubt.

[Slowhand on 08.11.05 at 19:51]

The 'P' himself said it as clear as day.... the local media is not turning up to Press Conferences that his Ministers are calling, for all the dinky things that are doing. "Hey, I shook somebody's hand today.... I need to tell someone!"
So if the media won't do what he says, why not hire someone who will! Thats what they will use it for.... one great big "Pat on the back" PLP (RLP?)advertisement and we get to pay for it.... Yay!!!

[SmokingGun on 08.11.05 at 20:01]

I don't think this TV station will ever get off the ground. Once these guys start to figure out what the potential is for them to be made complete fools of by not only themselves but their opposition I reckon they'll drop it and go with a time slot on regular TV.

I'm sure the "Not The UM UM" guys are going to have a field day if they ever do try a full station.

[Slowhand on 08.11.05 at 20:22]

SG

The damage is done mate.... all they had to do was mention that they liked the idea....

[SmokingGun on 08.11.05 at 20:38]

Exactly my point Slowhand..... Now we just have to wait see how truly "smart" they are.... :)

[Full Fullish on 17.11.05 at 11:12]

"P"'s comments of yesterday KILL me! He had the audacity to say "If you don't like the new station, turn the channel or turn it off.". What he's failing to realise is that we would like to turn off the drain on taxes we all have to pay that it will cause! He still has yet to state how much this is going to cost us, regardless if he uses the Weather station (Unmaned, updated every 4 or so hours) to the new format, maned, hopefully updated whenever new propoganda is released. Magicians the PLP are not, as they fail misreably at "Slight of Hand" tricks. (NO don't look at my left hand, look at my right only, Right I said, ignore the left!!!)

[Adjustah on 23.11.05 at 19:09]

For those that missed it, this made me holler this morning!

http://www.bermudasun.org/main.asp?SectionID=4&SubSectionID=135&ArticleID=27667

Well done!

[Tiger Bay on 20.02.06 at 08:58]

The 2006 Budget includes $175,000 for the startup of GPC, the Government Propoganda Channel. Right next to the line item of $600,000 for unspecified Cabinet Office Services.

[Bermudian on 16.07.06 at 14:08]

I just finished watching the channel many of the posters have dubbed the "Government Propaganda Channel"...

Man was I amazed! I mean they were spewing pure hatred for whites, expat discrimination and my personal favourite, Bermuda's Road to Independence... Are they trying to brainwash us or what!

Actually, I didn't see any of that stuff, but I did see a lot of Bermudian culture content (well produced btw)and I'm sure visitors to our country would appreciate the content. And I myself learned a few things as well!

Boy, some of you idiots were quick to jump the gun on this one. 1984? I dont think so.

[RockyToo on 16.07.06 at 19:46]

By the way, the Government Television Station is not operating - yet. Bermudian, what were you watching?

[Bermudian on 16.07.06 at 20:26]

For real???

[J Starling on 16.07.06 at 21:10]

I assume Bermudian means the televisions at the bus terminal. They have some bugs still to work out, but are getting better. Bermudian - provocative language does not help the argument any but just reinforces those who have made up their minds on the issue.

[Bermudian on 16.07.06 at 21:16]

oh oook :-)

[J Starling on 16.07.06 at 21:39]

Bermudian, I'm pretty sure that I was the only one on this thread who defended the need for a publicly owned television medium. I would appreciate some genuine and mature support.

Oh ook!! and For Reall!! hardly qualify and do not help the position.

[Bermudian on 16.07.06 at 23:51]

Starling,

I thought you, a supporter of such a station, would be able to figure out that my sentiments were not directed towards you.

The support you will get from me will be that those claiming the station will be Orwellian in nature are only attacking the station because they immediately attack anything and everything that the current government does.

Oh, and buddy, lighten up... you dont have to act like you have a stick up your ass. This is LIB, you can relax around here.

Cheers!

[SmokingGun on 17.07.06 at 09:33]

Bermudian - I for one am very glad to know that government's new BUS TV is up and running. I think the idea behind the name Bermuda United Station is highly commendable. The one concern I have is who's paying for it. Surely this type of programming must already come under the budget of Dr. Brown's Tourism Department. If that's the case then I would be a little concerned about some double dipping going on in our government.

[SmokingGun on 27.01.07 at 13:58]

Hmmm.... $120,000 of our money being given to PLP MP Glenn Blakeley's Hott Station to watch the cricket. Said MP also charging $200 per TV to get the cable channel.

Considering "we" pay PLP MP Blakeley's salary, "we" have already committed $11 million for cricket and now "we" have another $120,000 going out the question arises: Why isn't "our" new Government TV station broadcasting the cricket for free?

Where exactly is that printing press..... I want me some of that cha-ching.

[Bermudian on 27.01.07 at 17:37]

SmokingGun,

You know what, I agree. I am rather concerned about that. Why are we investing so much money in this and getting a $200 bill in return?

The whole point about TV is that you can sell advertising space as opposed to passing your costs onto the customers... what gives? Sell some ad space and reduce the costs to consumers!

[loki on 28.01.07 at 08:34]

I think it's utterly appalling that taxpayers are having to shell out $120,000.00 to subsidize a private business that wants to make a profit by showing sports. Unbelievable. They're already charging $200 per household if you want to watch this cricket even, and they still can't make a profit without going cap in hand to government? Why should we be underwriting this private business? It's no different than the previous proposal made to force Cablevision and WoW customers to pay a fee to ZBM and VSB to save them from their crappy business models.

[Tryangle on 28.01.07 at 12:59]

Dear Bermuda Government,

After reading the news article detailing your agreed sponsorship of Interisland Communications' broadcasting of the ICC Cricket World Cup featuring Bermuda's national team, I eagerly await my cheque for $200.00 so that I can subscribe towards this service. Thank you for considering the wishes of all Bermudians.

Best Regards,
Tryangle