Most expensive and least effective
"Government has to consider all its citizens. Just about every house in Bermuda has a television." So says a Government spokesperson in today's Bermuda Sun, justifying the Government's decision to forge ahead with its plans for its own TV station.
Alas, watching TV to find out about Government services makes about as much sense as entering the Tour de France on a unicycle. Technically you could do it, but in practice it’s going to be a frustrating experience.
A TV is primarily designed to entertain, not inform. Suppose I want to know about the services that immigration provides? How long will I have to watch Gov-Prop 1 before I find out? I imagine that even my mother-in-law could find the information online in less time.
Even if ubiquity was an asset, the difference between TV ownership and internet access here isn’t that great. In 2004, 96% of Bermuda’s households had a colour television and 57% had an internet connection (67% had a computer). With the price of internet access falling, the gap has likely closed since then. Moreover, the Government has a policy of making the internet available in public places. According to the 2004 Throne Speech, “This social agenda programme will allow free Internet access on terminals located in post offices, libraries, and other public buildings”.
I might be able to understand the Government’s enthusiasm if setting up a TV station was the cheap option. But at $1 million plus running costs, it’s probably the most expensive method of communication that there is. Compare that to $15 per month or less for a blog.
I look forward to seeing the ratings for the new station when it finally goes on air. The Government will be releasing them, won’t they?
Archives By Date
I have no cable service and do not plan on subscribing to one in the near future. However I do have a PC and an Internet connection.
Posted by Triforce on 22.12.06 at 14:49
PROPAGANDA MACHINE
Posted by Tiger Bay on 22.12.06 at 15:06
The Doc financed his own Bermuda newspaper (the Bermuda Times) for years as the mouthpiece for his political opinions. Of course he's going to set up the TV station: it allows him to spin his political angles without having to dodge inconvenient questions. And, the taxpayer finances it.
Remember, government does not exist to serve Bermudians. We exist to serve Ewart Brown.
Posted by Roly Poly on 22.12.06 at 15:55
Just think of all the programmes one could have...
I'll offer "Watch with Ewart" or Bermuda 5-O for starters.
The mind boggles.
Posted by Martin on 22.12.06 at 17:38
They should do "Survivor Bermuda", where you attempt to find food and shelter, for reasonable prices.
Posted by ch57 on 22.12.06 at 18:37
The 1 million dollar figure is the figure set aside for the set up of the TV station. The proposed running costs have not been disclosed yet.
Posted by Rocky Too on 22.12.06 at 20:03
I saw Ewart Brown on TBN, Trinity
Broadcasting Network, a global
Christian Network for Pentacostals
and other Evengelical Christians..
He was talking about that then but
since I don't live in Bermuda I
didn't think much about it.. I
don't trust politicians much and
that even less when they mix religion
and politics... He was talking about
Bermuda being a Christian Nation, when
they do that it's time to worry.
Posted by Ron Amos on 22.12.06 at 21:27
"PROPAGANDA MACHINE" - Tiger Bay
Nobody will actually watch this TV station, so I really don't think we can call it a machine.
More like 'PROPAGANDA INDULGENCE'!
Posted by novote on 22.12.06 at 21:56
On a somewhat more serious note, what on earth are they going to broadcast and for how many hours per day and how many days per week.
If the Govt want to put out a message why don't they simply buy time on the existing channels?
Maybe there is something here I am simply not seeing.
Posted by Martin on 22.12.06 at 22:03
A Gu'mint tv station...? Why would they need one? They already own two radio stations, FM 100 and Hott 107.
Posted by mysticman on 23.12.06 at 07:58
Top prize for the most STUPID idea by a Bermuda Government this Century ^..^
Posted by Graeme Outerbridge on 23.12.06 at 09:53
"Top prize for the most STUPID idea by a Bermuda Government this Century "
What ... even ahead of Term Limits???
Posted by Freddie on 23.12.06 at 16:20
Good Evening,
Another opportunity for the government to give more jobs to their friends with no real benefit to the taxpayer, who will again foot the bill for this indulegence.
I suggest more people should complain and, as with the location of the new hospital on the Botanical Gardens, we might see the government listen!
Season Greetings to all!
Michael H. Dunkley.
Posted by Michael H. Dunkley. on 23.12.06 at 18:11
I predict that this new government station will have major competition from Fresh TV and will go the same route.
Posted by jr on 24.12.06 at 16:28
Jr do you mean the new station is going to be called stale tv?
Posted by Graeme Outerbridge on 24.12.06 at 17:25
I would prefer to see a Government-subsidised TV station dedicated to not only providing live Parlimentary debates and other Government-related programming but all manner of local and community programming, and offering training opportunities to students who are interested in media-related careers. Oh, and none of this cable bs. Free to all with an antenna, or at least provide it on the web. Show Bermuda Broadcasting how it should be done.
Posted by Triforce on 28.12.06 at 12:22
Triforce do mean a Bermuda Verion C Span? Hmmm that might serve some purpose....Now that Bermuda is a World Super Power....Not in armaments but in ego size.
Posted by Graeme Outerbridge on 19.01.07 at 14:45