Radio Anguilla – The Voice of Choice – has demonstrated and continues to show its pivotal role in the community with the attendance of a packed crowd at the Station’s 50th Awards ceremony at CuisinArt’s Ballroom on Saturday evening, 15th June.
The public came out in numbers to show their support for Radio Anguilla and the four Former Directors: Father Menes Hodge, Mr Nat Hodge, Mr Wycliffe Richardson and Mr Kenneth Hodge who were honoured for their leadership roles during the years.
The current Director, Ms. Farrah Banks, observed: “As one of the products of the Anguilla Revolution, Radio Anguilla has changed vastly over the past half-century. The advancement of technology means that we have no choice but to move forward but, as Marcus Garvey stated, ‘A people without the knowledge of its past is like a tree without roots’. So we look back with gratitude, to learn as much as we can from those who have paved the way for us!”
She continued: “The four gentlemen that we are honouring tonight could not receive this honour, or have made their contributions to Anguilla’s development, without support! Great leadership goes hand in hand with a great teams – so we must remember, acknowledge and thank all those who have worked at Radio Anguilla over the years in any capacity. I also acknowledge the families of all the awardees who, at
times must have been neglected while Anguilla came first. Your support can’t go unnoticed.”
Ms Banks also emphasized the role of the media especially in this digital age: “It is a great responsibility to inform and educate a nation. One that must be carried out with honesty, fairness and humility. We must live up to these if we truly love Anguilla. While technology changes, the rules do not.
“From 1969 to today, we have had so many tools to assist us in our tasks – LP’s or records, Reel to Reels. Carts, cassette tapes, CD’s, mini discs, and now everything is digital…It cannot be held…just as information cannot be held once it hits the popular social media. Now we’re all radio stations, We’re all journalists, We’re all reporters – therefore, we must all act responsibly. The world is smaller than ever and we have to be held responsible for what we put out there!”
One of the honorees, Mr Kenneth Hodge, in his thank you speech challenged Radio Anguilla to continue to soar:
“Radio Anguilla has a lot to look forward to in its future. It has come into the digital age, and the demands on radio are increasing – the demands for accurate information, unbiased reporting – and I challenge Radio Anguilla’s staff to rise to the occasion. There is also a lot placed on the shoulders of Radio Anguilla. We have lots of radio stations now, so it’s a competitive media market – and I would say to Radio Anguilla, ‘Keep shining. Keep doing what you do so well, and continue to be the Voice of Choice for 50 more years to come.”’
