Media Association of Saint Lucia

As I was preparing for the new semester and Monroe’s Diploma in Media Communication and Journalism, I had time to reflect how we have come full circle about the need for training to boost our media in St. Lucia. When I started in media – yes, donkey years ago – there were no training courses available. None. Getting any kind of training in media was like a trip to the moon. There was a hunkering and a yearning.

Colleagues, friends, ladies and gentlemen. Let me begin by thanking you for the confidence you have placed in me to be the foundation President of the Media Association of Saint Lucia for the period - February 2012 to April 2014. I am indeed humbled and honoured to be considered fit to represent you in this most important office. I want to thank the members of my Executive Committee who stayed the course in the interest of the organization and who provided exemplary leadership every time they were called upon to represent you on a wide range of issues for which no level of compensation would be adequate.

There is dire need to focus on the professional development of the media in Saint Lucia in order to address the perception of declining standards in the media. It has also been observed that many trained, experienced and qualified individuals have exited Journalism in order to pursue greener pastures in other fields while the pace of recruiting replacements has not kept up. Often media workers are required to follow the directives of owners and mangers that are not aware of the core principles and values related to the media profession.

The Biennial Meeting of the Media Association of Saint Lucia (MASL) did not take place as scheduled because of lack of a quorum. The meeting is now postponed to Sunday 25th May 2014 at Monroe College, Barnard Hill from 3:00pm.  Reports of members of the outgoing Executive will be posted on the MASL website by Thursday 22nd May 2014; thus the sole purpose of the upcoming meeting will be the election of a new Executive Committee for the period 2014 to 2016. 

The following nominations were received during the period that nominations were open:

The Biennial Meeting of the Media Association of Saint Lucia (MASL) will be held on Sunday 18th May 2014 at Monroe College, Barnard Hill from 3:00pm.  The main business of the meeting will be Election of a new Executive Committee for the period 2014 to 2016. Nominations have been received for the various positions on the next Executive Committee of the Media Association of Saint Lucia (MASL).  The individuals will vie for the seven (7) positions that will become vacant as per the MASL Constitution.

The 7th Biennial General Assembly of the Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM) was held in Port of Spain, Trinidad on 26th October 2013. This most important meeting is held every two years so that delegates can discuss the current state of media in the Caribbean and ensure success by collaborating and harmonizing initiatives for the future.

An Extraordinary Meeting of the Media Association of SaintLucia (MASL) will be held on Sunday 6th October 2013 from 3:00 PM at Bay Gardens Beach Resort.

The Ministry of the Public Service, Information & Broadcasting invites input on the Draft Broadcasting Authority/Services Bill. In that regard the Media Association of Saint Luica welcomes comments, suggestions for improvement and expression of concern on the proposed bill to be directed to the MASL through the various channels available on our contact page http://www.masl.lc/contact by 31st May 2013.