Diversity in the topics Caribbean bloggers and other digital media creators cover, is something I have always been calling for. Along these 13 years that I have been blogging, the trend that I saw online and at Blogger Awards skewed heavily towards lifestyle and entertainment. And while I have no issues with that, it can’t be the only Caribbean content we care to create and present to ourselves and the world.
Having been a keen observer of the United States Mid Term Elections these past few days, I loved the fact that I was able to get information from the usual sources..CNN! NBC, Washington Post, as well as alternative sources such as VoteSaveAmerica and a rash of bloggers and influencers that I follow. We need that diversity and care, in our digital media landscape in the Caribbean, especially in Jamaican where I am from.
In Jamaica, we have only two newspapers, the Jamaica Observer and the Jamaica-Gleaner, owned by influential private sector interests. We have intelligent and fearless shows led by amazing journalists on Radio Jamaica and Nationwide News and that’s great. We also have a rash of niche radio stations, but most of them are pointless and hugely under resourced. So the media influence of the big media brands still loom large, even as people’s attention has moved heavily online and also to social media.
That said, now we have the Internet, that offers anyone the unbridled opportunity to start a blog, online tv show, podcast with no permission needed from anyone. All you need is time and clarity around your own editorial agenda.
It’s the kind of access and power that many are still not taking advantage of. Why? Is it that they are not as invested, interested in broadening the narrative, by taking the risk to take on subjects like politics and business and cannabis and women’s issues that can change things and make things better for themselves and others?
Maybe they don’t see the stakes as being high enough as yet, as African Americans and Democrats saw in these midterm elections.
Maybe they lack the data…and then don’t seek that data around things that affect them…jobs, building wealth via real estate, investing in stocks and starting businesses.
Maybe They don’t believe that creating a digital media brands that is not lifestyle and entertainment focused, can enable them to make money and make positive change at the same time.
Are we back to that age old issue, where too many Jamaicans and also Caribbean people, are quick to point out and lament about the problems, then in feeling powerless or simply not giving a damn, then leave it to others to not only solve, but also benefit from.
That said, I want to see more Caribbean Digital Media Entrepreneurs who welcome and really use this unprecedented power of access,e information, creation and influence they now have thanks to the Internet, digital tools and platforms at their fingertips.
We can’t only be about hosting and entertaining the world, we also have to be about changing it.
If you are starting a blog, podcast, YouTube channel, Instagram TV channel and have questions, I will happily help. Email me. Ingridingrid@siliconcaribe.com
