Former PM Ralph Gonsalves distinguishes his own radio appearance on Star FM as a platform for “facts” and education while sharply criticizing other talk shows for spreading misinformation and acting as biased apologists for the new government.
Gonsalves says that other talk show programs have become “apologists for the NDP government”. He suggests that because these hosts are making so many apologies for the government, their listener numbers are falling, which he notes should concern them as businessmen looking at the “bottom line”. He argues that these programs fail to present the “factual situation”.
The Opposition Leader specifically critiqued a host for propagating the “foolish line” that Gonsalves is not the Leader of the Opposition because he has not yet been sworn in. Gonsalves characterizes this narrative as “malignancy or misinformation” and admonishes hosts, stating that “if you’re running a talk show, you must listen to what is taking place in the country” rather than giving vent to falsehoods. He insists that those who make it their business to discuss public policy “must be informed on certain basic things” or else “our democracy will suffer”.
Gonsalves contends that while the media may report on events, they often lack the depth of analysis he provides on complex issues, such as the penalties regarding company law. He predicts that commentators on other talk shows will discuss his statements “without hearing me,” relying instead on “secondhand” or “thirdhand” information.
In contrast, Gonsalves positions his program (Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 to 12 on Star FM) as the place where people should go “to hear the facts to hear the issues raised in an informed manner”. He views his role on the radio as an extension of his duty to “inform and educate” the public