"As it now stands, ZNS has 253 employees. Eighty of these staff members are in management and 173 are line staff. Of that total, 205 work in Nassau and 48 persons work in Freeport, Grand Bahama," Mr. Turnquest told parliamentarians in the House of Assembly Wednesday.
"The upshot of the current staffing tables of 80 managers and 173 line staff at the BCB [Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas] is that the average ratio of staff to one manager is less than 3:1.
"In some cases, management staff has no one to manage. This is a situation that developed as a result of promotions over the years, which were intended to give employees improved wages, but which did not take sufficiently into account the job that actually needed to be done.
"For example, a cameraman is promoted to the position of supervisor, or a reporter to the position of editor. These officers now no longer go out on assignments. The management pool expands, increasing costs, and the line staff pool contracts, leaving less expertise in the field."
Mr. Turnquest, who was giving his contribution to the Communications Bill, said no organization could remain financially viable and effective under these circumstances and in the case of the BCB; it may now be time to "flatten" the organization in terms of its job titles.
Mr. Turnquest said the issue of funding from advertisements will also have to be considered when ZNS transitions to public broadcasting.
"It would not be expected that ZNS, as it moves to public service broadcasting, would be soliciting advertisements," he said. "Currently, the Government provides an $8 million contribution to ZNS for its operations and $3 million towards its capital improvement programme (digital upgrade)."
Mr. Turnquest said a decision will also have to be made in respect to the number of stations that the BCB operates once it transitions to public broadcasting.
Currently, the BCB operates a national radio service (ZNS-1) on both the AM band and the FM band (where applicable). It will have to determine whether to retain or divest its other two branded stations, Power 104.5FM and Inspiration Station (1240 AM/107.9FM), he said.
Mr. Turnquest noted that for the past 20 years or more discussions have been ongoing about ZNS moving toward public service broadcasting (PSB). He noted, however, that he could presently state with confidence that ZNS is now truly on the path toward making this a reality.
Public service broadcasting seeks to address audiences as citizens, rather than consumers, and to promote educational and cultural enrichment, growth and development.
But to be truly effective, Mr. Turnquest said public service broadcasting must also accommodate the diverse interest, tastes and concerns of people throughout The Bahamas, and provide a vital space for free expression, editorial independence and open debate.
According to Mr. Turnquest, the Board of Directors at the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas Limited (BCB) have begun to discuss and analyze the strategic issues involved to transition ZNS to a Public Service Broadcaster.
"Consequently, progress is being made in defining where the BCB wants to go, the values and principles on which the transition and future work of the Corporation will be built, and the strategic planning that would be required to accomplish the transition," he said
Mr. Turnquest said because ZNS operates in a unionized environment, the Government will obviously hold discussions with the two unions before they proceed with the implementation of public service broadcasting.
"We would want to ensure that the initiative to make ZNS the principal vehicle for public service broadcasting can be implemented with the full support and cooperation of the Unions and staff of the BCB," he said.
- Austin DWI - New York DWI