The scenario of the Cayman Islands having no radio stations is one that invites many, varying opinions but it is probably safe to say the majority of people would not be happy without their FM/AM dial.

Essentially, the crux of the matter is one of convenience, as well as the accessibility of information and entertainment at the touch of a button, as opposed to having to seek it out. Indeed we are inundated with the stuff we need to know, while no doubt having to put up with a few songs we may not enjoy or some silly commentary on current affairs; the songs we love to hear also show up occasionally.

All things considered radio is something that keeps us in touch with the world around us and undoubtedly assists in our connection to other cultures and ideas. We are also reminded of the relevant activities in our community and can keep a finger on the pulse of what our young people are thinking and are being influenced by.

Weather reports, hurricane updates, commercials, news and talk shows that help the community to make sense of their condition, in addition to allowing civilized discourse on the issues of the day are elements that give radio its relevance and make it such a powerful player in the fight for our attention every day.

It is also important to note that the Cayman Islands did not have radio until 1976 and as such, the concept is still relatively new to our society. This is an important footnote in any discussion about the medium’s relevance. We are really still shaping radio’s legacy as a culture and defining what it means to us during that process.

With that said, another good reason we need radio is to hear what our local musicians are producing. Believe it or not, Caymanians want to hear their peers and the works they are creating. There is a huge void to be filled where local music is concerned and this is what will sustain radio going forward.

In Jamaica they do not wait to see which of their artists’ songs are playing on radio in order to endorse them. They endorse them and in turn so do we. For our radio to be a true representation of our people is the ultimate case for radio. If we can share our culture with visitors and celebrate what is created here, it will become infectious and we too can begin to export Caymanian culture through our airwaves.

What if we had no radio? We would still know what was going on outside, via the Internet and other radio around the world. However, we would not know what was happening in the minds and hearts of our own people and that is not only why we need radio but also what we need radio to understand.

The debate about whether programme directors at the radio stations have any clue about what people really want to hear is another story and it seems that the utility on most stations is for as long as the song you like is on. There are very few shows that celebrate a theme on prime time radio. Except for the few exceptions the focus on variety based on the fear that someone who likes one type of music may turn away, means that those looking for a vibe/feeling created by one genre, are interrupted by the station’s craving to try and please everyone.

For goodness sake, if you are a radio programmer reading this, please do not play some beautiful reggae music and then totally ruin the atmosphere with another genre that is totally disconnected from that feeling in the name of variety. Some continuity please! This will make a good case for the continued relevance of radio in our society, which in my humble opinion is a necessity.