Dear Sir,

For more than 50 years, every weekday morning David Lopes has helped a good many of us to get “up, started and on our way”. His brand of home-grown broadcasting is both informative and entertaining. More often than not, he researches his subject matter, whether it be music, health, local and overseas sport, historical figures or simply “On This Day In History” to name a few.

His love of Bermuda history is especially evident during his telephone interviews with local historians, as both caller and David would share interesting tidbits of Bermuda’s bygone years.

David gives local musicians/entertainers regular airtime while his vast variety of music transcends a multitude of generations and genres.

When it comes to local knowledge, he is extremely well informed, including but not limited to green gardening/farming, dairy farming, pony/horse racing or the Ag Show. Indeed, David is a national treasure and a legend in local radio broadcasting. He adds so much value to Bermuda’s broadcasting landscape.

However, once the April 2020 lockdown was lifted, David did not immediately return to his regular show on ZBM’s Inspire 105. When this writer contacted the radio station in August, he was told: “We don’t know when or if David Lopes will return.”

He finally returned in November but we were told “for three months” only. And now he is once again off the air in what this writer understands is for Covid-related reasons. Really?

From what David has said, he has no interest in retiring, at least not anytime soon. However, in the absence of an official statement/explanation from the station, one can only speculate that the station is pushing to automate its broadcast, presumably in a cost-cutting measure.

What a tragic loss to the community this would be because automation lacks any local commentary except for the news. Automated broadcasting doesn’t identify the artist(s) who just performed, the time, or alert listeners to a traffic jam on Harbour Road. Automation lacks the personal touch, which David provides.

Wake up Mr ZBM/Bermuda Broadcasting General Manager; Bermuda has already lost too many of its cultural treasurers — let’s not lose The David Lopes Show as well. For any marketing manager worth their salt, The David Lopes Show would be an easy sell.

Come on Bermuda, if you feel the same and want ZBM to keep the iconic David Lopes Show on the air, say something! Contact the station manager and/or owner/chairman.

J. EDWARD SOUSA

Warwick