The People’s United Party has finally devised a way to combat the negative press they say they have been getting, since they have been in government. The party has officially launched its own radio station, Positive Vibes. Political parties having a stake in media is not new in Belize however, the old Grey Lady had a jump on radio. On Monday, the name of F.M. 2000 at 1440 Coney Drive, in Belize City was changed to Positive Vibes. The station which is not yet nationwide can only be heard in the city on 90.5 F.M. west in Benque Viejo Del Carmen and South to Placencia on 102.9. The station has also pledged to work in programme sharing along with Radio Bahia in Corozal and Radio Arecife in San Pedro. Dee Jay Gerard Coleman, son of the late Seferino Coleman, who once worked at Love F.M. joins a group of party faithfuls, not trained radio talents, to provide an assortment of programmes which will include local talk shows on weekday mornings, with Glenn Tillett and Vivian Bonner. Well-known street poet Grandmaster and Angela Gegg join the line up with their show called the G2 Show. Merlyin Young and Rhenae Nunez will host a show called Lets Talk, to be aired on Wednesday nights. The station will also have bilingual newscasts as well as music for entertaining the masses. In the future, Positive Vibes plans to introduce satellite radio to the airwaves with international programmes from stations such as B.B.C., P.B.S., Disney and ESPN. According to Yasser Musa, Public Relations Officer for the People’s United Party, the station will help to set some records straight about the government, amidst all the bias reporting by the media, “We have not been given the platform or the opportunity to express our views.” He said the press sometimes have their own agenda where the party is concerned and there needs to be fairness and now the party can make certain of it. “People need more explanation regarding the PUP, its the right thing,” commented Musa. There is no doubt that PUP antagonists will see the station as simply a tool for a massive media campaign, with the 2008 election closing in, but Musa says, they have no interest in spreading propaganda. “ Our party has no intention of spreading lies and rumors, we want people to see that we are different.” The Prime Minister, Said Musa was the guest speaker at the even. He was enthused at the new venture his party has embarked on. Several entertainers were part of the event including Brokdong Queen Leela Vernon.
The tradition of Belizean political parties owning their own media organs is as old as our two party system. Having started with newspapers, the partisan penetration of the radio dial was completed today with the inauguration of Positive Vibes. News Five's Janelle Chanona was on hand for the festivities. Janelle Chanona, Reporting Backed by a star studded line-up that included much of the cabinet and leader emeritus George Price, this morning Prime Minister and Leader of the People?s United Party Said Musa officially opened the political organization?s first radio station. Francis Fonseca, Party Chairman, P.U.P. ?Some have asked why does the P.U.P .need a radio station. The truth is that our members and supporters demanded it because they do not believe that our party?s voice is being heard. They believe we need our own outlet to share our work and plans with the Belizean people.? Formerly FM 2000, Positive Vibes will broadcast on the frequencies of 90.5 and 102.9 hoping to reach as far west as Benque Viejo and south to Placencia. Vaughn Gill is programming director of Positive Vibes. Vaughn Gill, Programming Director, Positive Vibes ?We are looking at promoting a lot of Belizean artists, exposing the Belizean audience to a lot of new music. If you listen to our radio stations, at the same time of the day, they are playing the same type of music ? competing against each other. So we are offering an alternative. Also we are looking introducing satellite radio programming which is new to radio.? Janelle Chanona ?How will you do of this, sell advertising just like everybody else or is it going to be funded by the party?? Vaughn Gill ?No, it?s a commercial station. We have to compete, we have to bring in our own revenues to keep flowing.? But at this morning?s opening, it was also clear that the PUP will use Positive Vibes as a political platform in the run up to elections 2008. Francis Fonseca ?The big blue machine is on its way back. Positive Vibes is part of that machine. Great talk, great music, breaking news ... it?s all good on Positive Vibes Radio. Thank you and welcome.? Prime Minister Said Musa, Leader, People?s United Party ?I see positive vibes being an instrument to remove the groundless fear and the groundless doubts that exist in our country. There is need for positive vibes and I am here today to tell you that the People?s United Party is moving forward with positive vibrations. (clapping) And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.? Reporting for News Five, I am Janelle Chanona. Positive Vibes programming will include G2, hosted by the Grandmaster and Angela Gegg, Belizean Corner with Andy Palacio and Talk Back with Merilyn Young and Rhenae Nunez. The granting of radio licenses to political parties is nothing new, as the U.D.P.'s Wave Radio went on the air in December 1998.
