To offer unstinting service for 50 years, continuously, is no easy feat. Radio Anguilla is indeed the Nation’s Radio Station. It has, despite a surge in the number of radio stations on island, retained a paramount position as the premier station for reliable information from trusted sources. Radio Anguilla is famously described as the Voice of Choice – the source of information, education and entertainment, for the people of Anguilla.
The Radio Station was birthed in 1969 to facilitate the need of the British paratroopers to communicate the British Government’s position to Anguillians. Gradually, the focus of the station shifted and it began to assume the role of generally informing, educating and entertaining the general populace. A role it performs to this day. In the early days the issue of choice did not trouble Radio Anguilla, as it had no ‘on island’ competitors. Today, the broadcasting landscape on Anguilla has changed considerably and Radio Anguilla is one of many radio stations on island. In order to justifiably coin the description “Voice of Choice” it must therefore distinguish itself – and this it has done over the years.
Radio Anguilla is the source of current information pertaining to local, regional and international events. Its coverage of national events is anticipated and appreciated. The station can be relied on to bring balance to controversial and often disputed issues, by ensuring that the facts are heard from the proverbial “horse’s mouth”. Radio Anguilla has distinguished itself by promoting and hosting informative and well-researched talk shows, thereby enlightening its listeners on issues of great relevance to them.
The need to cater to the varied musical tastes of the Anguilla population has not been lost on Radio Anguilla. The music genres played by Radio Anguilla are testimony to this, and it is clear that significant care is taken in ensuring that it has an up-to-date and varied musical selection available for the listening pleasure of its audience.
Radio Anguilla has not been without its challenges. A very significant challenge has been to ensure that it not only espouses that it is the Nation’s Station, but that this is reflected in its actual broadcasting. Radio Anguilla has had to respond to both overt and covert attempts to tailor or restrict its mandate to allow the nation’s issues to be communicated to the masses, by all relevant persons, in a fair and unbiased manner. Very few persons know of the battles fought in this regard and, luckily, today those little known battles seem to be a thing of the past.
Radio Anguilla has over the years received its share of criticism. A lot of it pointed to what appeared to Radio Anguilla’s slow response to changing times. The station’s response to these criticisms has served to place it in the position where it can indisputably describe itself as the “Voice of Choice”. Responding to criticism has seen the constant evolution of specialized programming and talk show programmes. No longer is reliance simply placed on traditional radio but new social media trends are utilised, in conjunction with traditional radio, to reach the widest possible audience. In this respect, Radio Anguilla has secured for itself a significant Facebook presence.
The recognition of Radio Anguilla as the Nation’s Station is never more pronounced than during and after a significant hurricane event. Radio Anguilla’s sterling contribution at these times cannot be discounted by even its strongest critics. We will forever be grateful to Radio Anguilla’s staff who, in those trying, difficult and dangerous moments, continued to offer service and comfort to their fellowmen and women. We will be forever grateful – though we may often fail to vocalize our gratitude.
Radio Anguilla’s accomplishments would not have been achieved without the efforts of those who, over the years, served in leadership positions at that institution – and those who supported the leaders. The Anguillian offers heartiest congratulations to Radio Anguilla, and to all its local directors beginning with Mr. Menes Hodge (now Rev. Hodge) – through to the current director, Ms. Farrah Banks, and the various staff members who served with the directors. These persons contributed to the growth of Radio Anguilla from its birth to its 50th anniversary and are therefore very deserving of congratulations.
Congratulations and best wishes to Radio Anguilla as it continues to respond appropriately to our varied needs and interests.
