Roots FM - the voice of the inner city

Tony Young

THIS WEEK'S business page of www.go-kingston.com, features Roots FM, a community radio station serving the people of the inner city. Log on this week and read all about it. The following preview will get you started:

"At 96.1 on the FM ban is a 'rootsy' radio station which, although it's only three years old, has already captured 24 percent of the inner city audience.

Roots FM, a community radio station targeting inner city folks, is the brainchild of the Mustard Seed community, non-governmental organisation operating in Jamaica for some 23 years now. The mission of the Mustard Seed Community is to uplift the most vulnerable members of society with an emphasis on marginalized communities, through the positive interaction of caring, sharing and training.

Roots FM, located at Mahoe Drive in the heart of the inner city is, by way of electronic media, giving the people of the inner city a voice, a vent and a medium through which to express themselves, conduct civic dialogue and keep abreast of what is happening in other local communities.

The radio station began operating in march 1998 with the hiring of a Station Manager/Programme Director, Tony Young. With a staff of over 30 persons, less than 40 percent receive a salary or stipend. Most of the staff give their services voluntarily.

The company, according to Mr. Young has experienced some growth over the past three years. From a 22-watt transmitter, the company has, with the help of the Multicare Foundation upgraded to a 350-watt transmitter. Construction is underway for a new recording studio and Young expects all of this to be completed soon."

Log on to www.go-kingston.com to read the entire story. Remember to send your news/comments to news@go-localjamaica.com.

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