No li’l issue

By by Femi Mascoll | Sat, June 26, 2010 - 12:10 AM

Starcom Network yesterday stoutly rejected charges of practising double standards as it explained its decision to part ways with DJ Ricky (Li’l Rick) Reid.
In the popular phone-in programme Down To Brass Tacks, listeners called both to criticise and to congratulate the station over the decision announced on Thursday.
Moderator David Ellis said the incident was bigger than Li’l Rick and Starcom. It related to the role of the media in Barbados’ society.
The fundamental concern should be the role of the media “in reinforcing positive values and behaviour and how various forces are influencing that role,” Ellis said.

Three occasions

In a statement, Starcom Network Inc said on no fewer than three occasions Li’l Rick breached guidelines to prevent the broadcast of material with sexual crudity, social degradation, or poor taste.
Ellis stressed that Li’l Rick’s action last Saturday was the “latest in a string of incidents”. Starcom therefore had taken the “initiative and appropriate action.”
Programme manager of Starcom Network, Ronnie Clarke, indicated that Li’l Rick was disciplined over similar incidents a total of four times during his ten-year stint at the network.
“This one being the most unfortunate and worst of the breaches relative to content,” said Clarke who outlined the series of events which led to the ultimate termination.
“Saturday, June the19th at approximately 12:55 there was a song aired . . . which was the raw, explicit version of one of the songs that is popular by Vybz Kartel. The song was played . . . pulled up. The same version of the song was played. It continued into the second verse. Then the song was stopped.”
Only after this, was the edited version of the song played. Reid did not apologise for this mistake until 1:49 p.m.
Ellis told one caller who raised the issue of a double standard: “If you’re accusing us of a double standard, you need to tell us who else associated with this station has had that kind of reprimand on as many occasions.”
In response to several callers that Li’l Rick’s termination would have a negative impact on the network’s ratings, Clarke stated the popular Guinness Rush Hour Show and Mackeson Triple Tunes have “enhanced Rick’s popularity and Hott’s popularity”.
Meanwhile, yesterday afternoon Slam FM confirmed that Li’l Rick is now part of its team.

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Posted by Edghill M 1 year, 11 months ago: Well I want to commend starcom for the stance they take in promoting a clean enviroment for our children to be raised in but what above those songs that contains suggestive lyrics. e.g Rihanna rude boy song and her song Te amo, which promote that a woman want a man who is well endowed and her song Te amo that promote lesbianism. we as a people and as a nation must be well round, what goes for the goose must go for the gander.

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Posted by Carlos 1 year, 11 months ago: In my job and i violate company policies, I will be disciplined.Now if we are to believe that they were numerous violations then its fair to say Li’l Rick knew what he was doing. He made a calculated choice so the question is when do we say enough is enough?
Should all concerned be subjected to his poor choice of action my kids and all.This has nothing in my belief, whether you like Lil Rick or not its about community responsibility. In his job he must know better, its not about pushing the envelope. The other side of the story is how many times Starcom benefited from him pushing the envelope. Dismissal is often harsh maybe a suspension may of been a middle ground. Lets be grateful he was not driving a car and your kid was under it. CHOICES BRINGS CONSEQUENCES.