I note with interest the Press Association of Jamaica’s (PAJ) moves toward possibly becoming a union. If it happens, perhaps then I will renew my membership. Perhaps now more of our colleagues who have left us behind in journalism will begin to even CONSIDER re-entering the media, where their hearts really are…

Media workers really do need representation. But not just us journalists. All media workers. The most recent RJR debacle is indicative of the need for media representation. But this group and other media houses are well known in the circles for their cavalier treatment of their workers – whether it is in production, technical or talent. What is sad is that other newcomers to the sector have followed the market leader in this trend. But, heh! heh! heh! the market leader is losing its market. So y’all stay there and follow fashion!

And, you should hear the excuses in that big shop when it comes around to the time for pay increases, even after record profits are announced. It may take you months to get the increase and God bless it when you get it, like J$100 per shift. Yes, Jamaican dollars. But it’s not only there. The rates that are paid at all levels in most media houses are certainly not in keeping with either revenue, staff input or talent. Pay is one thing, but if workers feel good about what they do, they’d feel to do it every day without being paid a cent, particularly if they love what they do. Trust me, many only stay because they love what they do.

Here’s what is ironic but heartrending. The media, which is charged with the responsibility of bringing both government and private sector to book on myriad issues, are some of the worst offenders when it comes to the treatment of their staff. Their own back yards are ‘chacka chacka’. Suppose you really knew how staff feel ‘less-counted’ in the media. Do the survey. Ask the questions. Nuh media you name?

There is a greater problem though. Even if PAJ emerges as a union, more and more media workers, particularly in the broadcast media are contract workers. How will they be covered? Is this by design? Ask the questions nuh! Perhaps the MAJ members saw the writing on the wall in this commercial environment. In many cases contract workers get a pre-prepared contract, with uniform terms, non-negotiable, take-it- or-leave-it with the implicit “You lucky, you know how many people want your slot”. Well, they can keep it.

The other good one is “I made you into what you are now, so you owe me (read ‘I own you’)”; like they are not earning exponentially more, the more the person, grows, develops and delivers. Dem lucky!

What is happening in the RJR story is something that has been happening in the media for a long time. Remember Gerry D, Rosamond Brown, Uncle Neville Willoughby, Henry Stennett …the list could go on and on. I couldn’t quite manage the ‘Wild Child’ business, but with her degree in management, Tricia Spence should be able to give her former bosses some lessons. You go girl! If more people would take a stand, they would leave the houses with the mediocrity they now crave because of cost…and more markets would be eroded – Ah-Good fi unnu! May this story live forever and bring forth story after story. Time come!

The good that comes out of the process of change is that new talent can be exposed…but not at the expense of those who have given and given, and you have used and used. Imagine, Dorraine Samuels, that squeaky clean image, that you used to promote a new news product when it was expedient, now seems to be sidelined for a newer model as a mind says. And even if this is not really how the story goes, this is how it seems to the public. As the kings of spin, she deserves better.

Whenever will they get it…IRIE FM does a great morning show for its audience. A lot of this is attributable to the talent that Ron Muchette brings to the table, his personality, his style and the station’s focused format. In fact, he should be paid in keeping with the value added he brings to the table. No matter who is put in that slot, in any other station, what Ron delivers will not change. He connects! Paula is great, so are Allan and Dorraine. They connect with who they connect with. But they are not Ron, nor is Ron Paula or Allan or Dorraine! Get the point?

Respect is due to Allan and Dorraine. They held that slot for a long time and kept it at the top of the ratings. They deserve much more respect than is being afforded – Shame, shame, shame. This is media in the twenty first century. Ratings rule. This is business. Things have changed. All’s fair in love and war. Dog eat dog world and all that, but lorks man, remember it is people you dealing with, Finga mash must cry! Change is always necessary.

However, often it is not THAT changes are made, but HOW they are made.

I feel it for Tanya Powell, little seen or heard, but a good, clean heart who gets the work done. Surely, there is still some value in that. I am sorry that Paula got embroiled, because now the talent she brings is going to be overlooked and overshadowed by her friendships within the group. And there are those who may turn off in pure defiance…from the whole group, you think people stupid? That reminds me, I must put my CDs in the car!

Something is wrong, Why can’t the management in the big house find a market segment for each station and get that right. Ideas abound, we needn’t hitch on to the bandwagon of any other. But that poor distinguished Lady of Lyndhurst is now such a hodgepodge of…I’m not even sure. Hitz is a pseudo IRIE but without focus, form or style. FAME is the only constant, as watered down as it has become. Now the flagship is becoming an unrecognisable, bastardised (sorry, we don’t have bastards again, showing my age…try hybridised), middle of the road, dollar store, where you can get just about everything for a dollar. Wide variety but lawd, the quality of some of the stuff. You will find the odd gem for a bargain. Miss G, you held your share well. Perhaps because you connect. You’ve just got caught up in the whirlwind. But watch your back. It only lasts as long as the ratings stay high. Thank God for Pantomime. That is a constant.

The newsroomers produce an excellent product, which gets kind of lost in the fray. Imagine, the broadcast house with the largest and best newsroom could not think that they could have a kick-butt excellent news, current affairs and documentary station, that does not exist anywhere else in the market…with a radio drama or two thrown in. Sure it can be modern – do ‘trendy’ documentaries on technology and fashion and other things modern. It may be a risk, but it is novel.

Why not? Perhaps that’s because that team walks around the compound with their hands over their ears and with their eyes open only enough to be able to make their way from the studio to the canteen. It’s like they work in another place, so they spend their time trying not to be tainted by that which hit the communal fan and is dripping. Not rocking this boat. No way, you mad? After all it is a job! But, I’ll rock any other boat you bring my way. Bring it on! Sadly, I think we the media worker have lost our spirit and it’s showing in our products.

I remember listening to RJR in the days of music, conversation and broadcasting – the art forms. And don’t get me wrong, I’m sure there is a way to make radio relevant and pleasant to listen to and keep it modern and trendy. How can the balance be found without it becoming, well, whatever it is becoming? Uncle Neville, hush, I feel the earth move as you roll.

My younger friends have been telling me about the IPOD. I’m noting it in my things to do. Purchase IPOD this week!