As a part-time monitor of the media and a full-time anglophile, I sometimes come across stuff in the newspaper that gives me pause but which might not move other more casual observers in the same way. For example, there is the Express’ Saturday 11 February lead story. It sent me …
Read More »Early Bird: When CNC3 “rolled” over the late Professor Gordon Rohlehr
Apoplectic, my fo’daymorning walk pardnah Bobby would later describe my state. In hindsight, I had to agree. Unapologetically apoplectic. Don’t blame me. Blame the pair of presenters on duty on the 7 ‘o’ clock news on CNC3 on the night of 30 January. They had ignited my ire. Had lit …
Read More »Media Monitor: Mentors, memorable moments, role models and money in sport
On the Carnival weekend, Dimanche Gras and its Calypso Monarch competition are usually in the spotlight. Not in this Covid-benighted year 2022. With nothing appealing about the completely unjustifiable Taste of Carnival, it was from the sports news that the three most interesting stories came. The first is the death …
Read More »Media Monitor: Unamusing musings the morning after Holder’s WI miracle the night before
Although they may not admit it, people do not like to be wrong; certainly, nobody likes to be seen to be wrong. Sometimes, however, you rejoice that you did not get it right. And you are overjoyed that you resisted the temptation to rush into print to share the view …
Read More »Media Monitor: Why CWI Media’s Covid-enforced changes would not have cramped Cozier’s style
Kraigg Brathwaite embarrassed us all in the second innings of the Second Test in Sri Lanka last month but few seemed to notice. The West Indies Test skipper finished with 1/11 in his five overs after ending a troublesome 51-run sixth wicket partnership by having Ramesh Mendis caught by Kemar …
Read More »Media Monitor: Maroon maulings, batting blues but blackout on WI batting coach Monty Desai
Where, pray, is Monty Desai? And what, pray, does the current West Indies batting coach contribute to regional cricket? I think those are two questions that need urgent answers. But I really don’t know whether—should we decide to direct them to CWI media officer Dario Barthley or through him—they will …
Read More »Media Monitor: Cricket coverage in the time of Covid; is the CWI media officer friend or foe?
Covid-19 has forced the postponement of the ODI half of the West Indies’ 2021 six-match Pakistan tour, six players and three team officials being required to withdraw into quarantine. We know eight names: Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Kyle Mayers, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Justin Greaves, assistant coach Roddy Estwick and …
Read More »Media Monitor: Simmons to blame for pathetic WI? Howzat for ‘responsible’ journalism?!
Current West Indies coach Phil Simmons is a lucky man. Replying to Sri Lanka’s 386 all out in the First Test in Galle last month, Kraigg Brathwaite’s West Indies reached a precarious 100 for 6 in their first innings. And then, chasing 348 for victory, they found themselves at a …
Read More »Media Monitor: Two Tonys and a ‘Reds’; would Cozier have condoned that crazy WI analysis?
Asked to name a West Indies all-time best squad, Lloyd Best, a serious and respected commentator on all things West Indian, selected him first. The role played by the doyen of West Indian cricket writers in the promotion of regional cricket, Best was making the point, was more important than …
Read More »Dear Editor: Whatever happened to our cricket commentary standards?
“[…] Who selects our commentators? What prerequisites should potential commentators have before qualifying as commentators, and being unleashed on the helpless listeners? Is a facility with the English language one of these prerequisites?” The following Letter to the Editor on the standard of West Indies cricket commentary was submitted to …
Read More »Best: Foolish One Syndrome, feeling you’re right, fearing to find out you’re wrong
The urbane, measured, eloquent George Davis hosts SportsMax’s Tokyo Breakfast segment of CNC3’s Olympic coverage. On Friday, Davis would have blanched when the discussion turned to the Women’s 400m final and invited co-host Pauline Davis remarked that the winner, Shaunae Miller-Uibo, had ‘literally killed them’. (my emphasis). Andre Baptiste, the …
Read More »Media Monitor: Lee’s mysterious hyphen, (h)executed exams and Thompson’s new Herah
In a thought-provoking but amusing piece you can find on the Internet, Christopher Howse complains about the pronunciation ‘haitch for aitch’. “There must be a confused idea that since the letter h- is aspirated, its name should be too,” he continues. “It’s a kind of genteelism, like saying ‘Between you …
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