Minister Beache blasts HOT 97 FM

Minister of Tourism Glen Beache is fed up of what he calls the blatant inaccuracies that FM radio station HOT 97 allows to be aired on its morning programme.{{more}}

“Those who want to say I am going to war with a member of the media, so be it,” he declared.

Beache, at a press conference on Tuesday, shared that he is angry and tired of the negative attitude that he said the station perpetuates. Targeting one disc jockey in particular, he acknowledged that on few occasions, the information reported is factual, but most of the time it is riddled with flaws because “…they don’t ask questions.” He stated that it is high time for the station to take responsibility for its actions.

Beache’s complaint was prompted by comments made on an early morning show on the radio station about the events that took place on the Vincentian truck at the Labour Day festival. He spoke of his experience in media matters and said that people should do their research before they speak on certain things. “If Hot 97 wants to make an issue of what I’m saying, then they need to come and ask me questions!” he exclaimed.

He conceded that the DJ had been correct when he stated that the Vincentian truck had not been on the road long enough to justify the US$12,500 that had been spent on it. Beache also admitted that he wasn’t pleased with the performance of the Vincentian truck but “…we have to have an understanding of the industry before we make comments by the way,” he stressed.

Additionally, Beache was dismissive of the radio station and insisted that they need to develop their social responsibility to SVG. “From what I see, they are very much anti-Carnival…” he condemned.

Speaking to SEARCHLIGHT, popular Hot 97.1 morning show host Chris ‘2 Kool’ Jones denied making inaccurate statements on his show concerning the Vincentian truck. He also claims that his comments only reflected what Beache himself later stated at the press conference on Tuesday. “He has a point to prove, not me!” Jones derided. Jones further stated that everyone has a right to question what exactly the money has been spent on, when Beache confirmed that the management of the truck was sub-standard. “Where has the money gone?”

In response, General Manager of HOT 97 FM Luke Boyea, was flabbergasted that the Minister deemed the station to be “anti-Carnival”. He highlighted the fact that this year, the station sponsored three mas bands and ran several advertisements – sometimes free of charge – for other mad bands. Additionally, he mentioned that HOT 97 FM is the only radio station that plays strictly soca in the run up to Carnival. “I want Glen to point out how exactly we are anti-Carnival,” he mused. Boyea even invited Beache to participate in an open discussion with him on the matter. He further asserted that the public has a right to question Government spending. “We live in a democracy…” (JSV)