Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by this author are their own and do not represent the official position of the Barbados TODAY Inc.
Many years ago, just after a second publishing company started the business of printing daily newspapers, my efforts to congratulate the editor in bringing other diverse and unusual voices to the information platform failed.
Yet, prior to the current lop-sided composition of our Parliament, several calls were made by this letter-writer and others asking the print media to give average Barbadians more opportunities for their voices to be heard.
With only a modicum of success was such a privilege achieved against the competing business of advertising and other financial considerations.
Apart from the computer, television, and radio, the print media has an important and useful role to play in giving a voice to the voiceless.
There are still too many muted and often unheard voices of the disadvantaged, the under-privileged, the variously challenged – physically, mentally and otherwise, and those at the lowest rounds of the economic ladder.
No society exists that is made up of a single class or group, then time, space and opportunity must be created for the voices of others to be heard.
There is always good reason – “even the dull and ignorant, they too have their story” as stated by Max Ehrmann almost one hundred years ago.
A glow of light appears at the end of the tunnel and there is a glimmer of hope now that the clear and unambiguous assertion has been made.
“Other voices important” is an eternal truth that must be bolstered by positive action from all sections of the media.
Michael Ray
