Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Telecommunications and Broadcasting, Senator Oscar George, has urged broadcasters in Dominica to be innovative and implement strategies to capture the listening base.
He was delivering remarks during the official launching ceremony of Dominica Broadcasting Service (DBS) 50th Anniversary celebrations held at the Kalinago Barana Aute on Sunday.
“I urge all broadcasters to be innovative, implement strategies to capture and cultivate the listening base, focus more on the quality rather than the quantity of your content,” he said. “This is key; this is what will set you apart from the other players.”
George believes that for radio to remain relevant in this increasingly digital environment, broadcasters must determine how the audience is listening and “find the best way that radio fits in.”
He said 50 years is a very significant milestone for a longstanding institution.
.”Fifty years in any business large or small is very significant,” he stated. “We are talking about 50 years that have brought about so many challenges of various magnitudes, yet still DBS stood tall and up to this day DBS continues to make valuable contributions to our growth and development,” George stated.
George indicated that in this modern age of technology people have a variety of ways to access large amounts of information.
“We have the print media, online content, television of course, and also a number of Apps that facilitates streaming on our smart devices,” he noted.
However, he said radio remains globally and very relevant, particularly in rural communities.
George revealed that very soon the government plans to open up DBS to a selected number of young students with aspirations in mass communication and journalism.
“We believe that this is very important to ensure that our young and upcoming broadcasters are equipped with the necessary skill and expertise required to ensure that the sector strives in this information age,” he said. “Take it from me, there is no better institution to assist our young media professionals to apply the trade at DBS Radio.”
The minister went on to say that he is confident that DBS will keep getting better and better as time goes by and said he looks forward to many more anniversaries.
He said the government is committed to continue working with DBS, not just to ensure that there are adequate investments in the physical infrastructure, but also to develop the country’s human capacity in broadcasting.
Meantime, Parliamentary Representative of the Portsmouth Constituency, Ian Douglas who represented Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, said DBS has played a significant role in the development process in Dominica.
“Any institution that can celebrate 50 years, that says a lot about the institution,” he said. “That says a lot about the resilience of the institution and the fortitude of the institution…because DBS has been there through hard times in Dominica, several natural disasters, through political upheavals, changing of governments …””
However, Douglas said that has never daunted the radio station.
“DBS has always been a faithful companion in the homes of all Dominican families,” he said. “DBS leveled the playing field…”
How on earth🌎can your failed Incompetent visionless Labour Prime Odd Minister is able to undertake any meaningful development activities when he and his Labourite scouts seemingly has failed on Socioeconomic development concept of Dominica and Our suffering unemployed Youths desperately seeking jobs to elevate themselves to that level of maturity, opportunities and Employment. These young people of ours shamefully don’t want to be bought to go up to the Fifth Floor to receive disloyal Cash from Skerrit for one reason that they will be expected to vote Skerrit and his failed questionable Labour Government. Our Youths Must not be abused by a failed Government. The Prime Minister must focus on the concept of meaningful development and upliftment prepared for maturity to Honour themselves and be equipt and sufficiently educated to be well employed and mature able to get good jobs. Your journey has begun. Don’t be distracted by this failed Labour politicians. We Need Decent leadership.
The management of q95 BANNED Cleville Mills from calling the station,because he was talking the truth.Q95 is BURIED in lawsuits because of LIES and MISINFORMATION.Last case MILLS vs Q95 in favour of Mills.Over $200,000 is owed to Mills.
The management of q95fm Radio have banned Cleville Mills from calling to defend the Dominica Labour Party and their operatives because he is employed as a police officer. This is a direct conflict of public interest and as a public officer he can/should be fired or disciplined for doing so. We all know why Mills isnt allowed to share his point of view, especially during the broadcasting of “The Hot Seat” with Matthias Peltier Jr. Public officers are not permitted to publicly show their allegance to respective political parties. Not on stage, not on radio, not on tv, not in rallies. These days you seeing all those young ladies that working in the ministries as secretary and admin all in red at rallies. Senior government officers in their respective colors. At least Q95 has some integrity and puts some standards in place. As for me id let mills talk and continue to make a cool of himself, get him to say his name, then file a case against him with the police force if that was possible
https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/crime-court-law/update-court-awards-police-superintendent-80000-in-defamation-lawsuit/
EC$160,000 not EC$200,000. i guess you wanted them to hold an extra EC$40,000 for you to put in your pocket “like normal” right doctor? Not a government contract secretly tendored under the table that there you know partner. you cannot over inflate the price and think you can hold the change for you and yourself.
Listening to Oscar talk broadcasting just confirms why Dominica can go nowhere under Roosevelt Skerrit. Folks Oscar George played U19 cricket for Dominica and still very young. Wouldn’t he be a much better fit in the ministry of Sports than Roselyn Paul? See where sports is in Dominica today. Another thing; you remember when Skerrit went to Penville one year and gave a farmer’s group over $100k for agriculture? Guess what? Oscar George was one of the young farmers back then. So what about putting him in the ministry of agriculture since he was already identified and rewarded as a young farmer. But instead he has the young man in his ministry so he could learn his corrupt ways so when he becomes President Oscar George will be his candidate for Vielle constituency. Pure madness
The Damn Bold Sheet radio station (DBS) is probably the worse we have in the Caribbean today. Can’t believe the station that the likes of Jeff Charles, Alvin Knight, Raymond Lawrence, Felix Henderson, Ferdinand Frampton, Ted Daily, Tim Durand, Shirmain Green and so many others worked so hard to make one of the most listened to on island and the region has gotten so low that in other for it to get close to being what it used to be, they would have to change the name because right now Skerrit and Cecil, the two Vielle case men have really shamed it to the point that most people on island refer to DBS as Damn Bold Sheet.
Past stalwarts like the late Jeff Charles must be turning in his grave to see what DBS has become, an unabashed, wagging tongue of the corrupt rulling regime. Imagine staff member splicing different utterances of the opposition leader and combining them to distort and confuse. This isn’t progress but low class propaganda.
Jeff Charles’ daughter here. He’s still alive and actually read this article. Thank you for the kind words though!
The “British Broadcasting Corporation” well known, dignified, Professional listened to Radio and Television not only in the UK but worldwide including the Caribbean and obviously our Dominica’. We’re wondering if DBS, whom we pay our Licence to is sufficiently capable, righteous, politically focus and educated to Professionally represent we the People of Dominica. This MUST NOT be a Skerrit (failed immnature PM) matter or that big failed DLP government and Obvious Incompetent Labour Party. The role of a Government in office under leadership must be one who is Visionary, a level of intellectual, intelligence and sufficiently matured and politically educated to the Concept of good honest governance and NOT reduced our poor Struggling people as beggars, the abuse of states funds through this deceitfullness Red Clinic to gain fame from our struggling people shouting “We Love our PM 😮Wi” What hypocrisy. No wonder DA is undeveloped. We Welcome Hon LINTON for PM and Our UWP for…
But wait nuh Is RastarMarn alone dat seeing dat man!!!
So wait, Dominica have a President, and a Prime Minister right???
So what’s the portfolio of Minister of State???
And how is it The Office of Prime Minister have ministerial Offices within it???
DNO could allyou start wiff this before allyou can address about what broadcasters need to do to attract listeners???
How about some real investigative reporting that is not bias in favor of the current administration,,,
How about allyou start going to those press conferences there and asking real questions!!!
Just report the news nuh and doh worry about new ways of attracting new listeners!!!
Why I will never listen to DBS again as long as the present management remains in charge.
One day I happened to tune in to one of their talk shows to be informed on current issues affecting the country and possible and feasible solutions. What I heard was a disparaging tirade from one of the panelists about Mr. Lennox Linton.
The poisonous voice of a male panelist uttered these words.
“Mr. Linton is stupid – the man is stupid, stupid, stupid.”
I tuned out and have never tuned back in to that radio station. The toxic nature of their talk shows and many of their programs is nauseating. DBS needs to be fumigated from the polluted politics that contaminates the airways..
IBO, thanks for the commentary. If this was my Radio, DBS would-be cut off the air, ASAP.
These people and their station has nothing of merit, intellectual, intelligence, devorum, Professionally to say of concern. When you ignorant people 🤪 of Skerrit open your mouth and regurgitate your Failed incompetent disgusting thoughts representing dirty language and thoughts with a lack of decorum, who the hell is going to listen to you’ll and your Failed Prime Minister who once pronounced these disgusting thoughts: “Go to Hell, Go to Hell, It’s none of your Damn Business..”.
How on earth can this Immature politically illiterate dumbfounded stupidity Prime Minister be head of DOMINICA’S Government. It’s best this position be referred to “Go to Hell..Go to Hell, it’s non of all you Damn Business where ,”He” gets his Damn Business and thoughts from?”. What a Dominica, what a Government what a “Failed Labour Party Immature Government”. We need Change and this failed incompetent DLF…
Yeah Ibo, good idea thanks and you can go to hell 👹 or better yet you and Linton, Bury yourselves in a septic tank.
Misery likes company. I understand there is where you reside. I won’t join you. Ask Gary, Lin Clown, A. George and personalities of that ilk to join you. Birds of one feather flock together.
Man bites Dog, We are already in a septic tank. We are up to our necks in poop. The country going to waste. Poop you talking when you try to act like Dominica is a paradise. Its a paradise that is going to waste. the livlihoods of its inhabitants have worsened. Cost of living wayyyyy up. No raise, 20-50 dollars salary increase for public servants, minimum wage is EC$4.50 or US$ 1.60/hr. DLP members getting rich over night, corruption, embezzlement, money laundering. Laborites themselves say if you not red you dead, but when it rains it rains on all of our houses. They move natural disaster, because we get free money that they dont have to account for while we are distracted with fending for ourselves. Grand money gets dispersed as a loan to the people, state resources sold without consulting the populace of state, young girls have to shake pampalam if they want anything, Ministers involved in domestic violence and abuse with the help of the police, tiles going up on wall around a farm
Q95fm leads the way in electronic broadcasting in Dominica. They allow differringbideas to contend. No matter your political persuasion there is a place for you on Q95.
The UWP, DFP, APP and the DLP if they so choose are welcomed with open arms to have their say on Q95. Won’t it be great if all political parties were offered this same access on DBS?
How can any honest, fair- mind person praise an entity for being used like a door mat by one political party while all other parties are denied a seat at the table?
A radio station should be a source of up-to-date, reliable information and also provides high-quality entertainment.
Is the information the country gets from DBS is accurate and unbiased? The answer is ABSOLUTELY NOT! I’ve heard cronies of the ruling oligarchy on that radio station repeatedly referring to the parliamentary opposition leader as ‘STUPID’.
In my honest opinion, DBS currently does more harm than good to the impressionable minds of the young people who just happen to tune in to its talk shows.
For DBS to be useful and be of great benefit to the nation, the manipulation of its broadcast by the ruling plutocracy MUST end.
Clearly you don’t listen to the station…
Ayola we know you is a DLP operative. You had literally sing for your supper in Castle Bruce. On this topic you need to stay quiet. We know what DBS has been doing in recent times. Has become tastless and classless.
Great Stuff..great thought Ibo France. Well said.
DBS management and managers please be advised that this is the states Radio DBS Radio for every Dominican irrespective of in Political Party, religions faith Religious Catholic Christians etc.
DBS is paid for by We the people of Dominica and it’s not operated by this Failed incompetent Skerrit’s Labour Party or Government. It belongs to the people of Dominica fully and not by this fake, failed incompetent Questionable inmature Labour government and its incompetent leadership. Q95, Voice of the Islands, DBS Radio all compliment the broadcasting of News, broadcasting, music, Outside Broadcast, religious messages and other matters that accommodates and compliments all matters of of information, news, sports, the obvious observations and functions of how our Government, our tax money 💲💰 is well accounted for etc. Skerrit DLP Govt be advised that we the people need to be aware and understands the accounting use of our States money.
You should urge ALL broadcasters on the island to broadcast the truth, fairly and without bias. They should all resist the dictator from influencing them in exchange for favours or money.
DBS now operate like a political tool of the dlp.
I returned to Dominica in 2008 after living overseas…..I have never heard any debate or opinion of any other political party besides labor party… that is your record even while you are funded by the state….not dlp.
De station is politically biased….de reporters afraid to ask de questions that are on the public’s mind regarding our leaders in high office… today
When people going to work with a big red shirt…. you really looking for respect and significance
DBS does not receive govt subvention … they make money from advertising sales.
Mr. George, I challenge you to publicly state that all DBS’s running costs are met by advertising revenue. You are disingenuous at best.
George, you seem to be closely affiliated with DBS. You defend it like a hen would defend her newly born chicks.
DBS is a state owned entity. This means it is owned by all Dominicans. But the manner in which they operate, one easily gets the impression that it is the sole property of Roosevelt Skerrit and the DLP.
Why is it that no other political party but the Dominica Labour Party is granted permission to ventilate their issues? By doing this, DBS has alienated a large percentage of resident Dominicans from its broadcast.
This is surely a damning indictment of management who has allowed itself to be totally manipulated for obvious reasons.
DBS is a government statutory body. Meaning it is funded by the government (whether partly or whole i am not sure). do our research.
Contrary to Wikipedia information, DBS is a state owned institution and, consequently, should not be affiliated to any political party so as to ensure its neutrality.
This radio station instead of being a beacon of light for all the other local radio stations has been reduced to just a propaganda factory of the most secretive and corrupt government definitely in the Eastern Caribbean, probably in the entire Caribbean region.
It is supposedly owned by the STATE (citizens) but is inaccessible to the people. Only the members of the Cookie Jar regime and its devout propagandists are given exclusive access.
DBS should be an exemplary national monument but has been reduced to an expensive, worthless apparatus that is now a fully blown White Elephant.
With tight state control of output and content, including vetting broadcasters for their political, no radio host can be spontaneous in their presentations. They become stilted and the restrictions come through in the programmes, which instinctly not trusted trusted by the general public. All state controlled media in one-party states suffer from this. It is the nature of the beast, whether is in China or Dominica. The yearning for freedom lives eternally and nobody can control what people really think. Skerrit is not the first dictator to have tried this, nor will he be the last. The democratic instinct is too strong and will always prevail.
Tell tht to Kairi. Does kill me to listen to Daryll and Ghost and Sokofly (if thats his name). I try to remain unbiased and listen to kairi to hear what that side has to offer in terms of constructive dialogue. but these people have issues. And i sometimes wonder if they remember they are on the radio. Nonsense alone.
Kairi has become Skerrit’s court jester.
Some real clowns that on that station. Then again they are the typical laborite. You tell them there is a problem, you show them the problem, sometimes you even explain how to fix it for everyone to benefit and get an ease up – they deflect with nonsense (Shame. Insults. Guilt. Need to be right)