September 23, 2013Dear Sir,It would seem most redundant to complain in one media about the other, namely electronic versus printed. Free speech in Bermuda is alive and well, I dare say it trumps anything coming even remotely close.The talk shows are a phenomenal sub culture of loyal contributors who recycle their views daily.For those who listen it is a constant source of political, and racial, rants being the most popular subjects, these are found to be most captivating it would appear.This forum has been seized upon as one of the most effective ways to get your opinion heard by a wide audience at no cost, if the host is inclined you may be lucky enough to be engaged as long as 30 minutes of free air time. That has to be the best bargain in the country.Is talk radio an invaluable source of accurate information, or a fountain of misinformation, depends on who you ask. The ability to drive the discourse by the host is amazing without suggesting anything untoward on their part, again you decide.Often very personal invective is employed by some of the callers, often with impunity.If you blog well you have hit the jackpot, as your online comment may get a second bite of the public opinion pool, without you even have to call the radio station! What could be better than that?Your blog being read in an additional forum that requires others to take up the phone and have their voice heard and possibly recognized.What is most interesting though is the fact that just about every host is told that they are the best on the radio, go figure.The same callers frequent all the shows, and cannot be thought to be loyal to any station for the most part. The listeners would do well to check what they hear for accuracy and factual information.Talk radio seems to enjoy unprecedented listenership by people driving around in their cars in particular. Radio talk is here to stay notwithstanding some very nasty, and deeply personal calls not uncommon.Everything is on the table for debate, and everything is second guessed in the political arena, often before our elected legislature has had a chance to debate it in the House.Trials that have been before the courts are often retried on the radio! Is this good in such a small country? We all have to decide on that one, it however does give cause for concern when careless, and inflammatory speech, flies over the air waves as a right to individual opinion!Loose lips do in fact sink ships when the callers refuse to let the facts get in the way of a good story. The good ship Bermuda is sailing through murky and tempestuous debt ridden seas already, we do not need to punch holes in the bottom to ensure that we all perish by mutiny on board.This is entertainment, that it seems we cannot get enough of even if many things are said may be dangerous! Alas!It is all good, as we hear the callers are the best in the world. Is that right? You decide. Talk is such a wonderful commodity as everyone can afford it. Everything else is on the table, why not include talk radio as well?Wayne B Scott