Role of QBS FM Media during Crisis
I wish to share that no one can underestimate the role of local media especially radio during any crisis, as this media can play a proactive role in alerting drivers on the road to avoid congesting crtical roadways so as to allow emergency workforce and civil defence arrive at the location faster.
They can also play a positive role in assisting the critically injured , by requesting the public in a blood donation drive .
But unfortunately in the last terrible tragedy, QBS Radio English played no role what so ever. In my previous forum I was also emphasising on the role of private FM radio , playing music and sending critical update in Hindi, Philipino e.t.c as vast number of people driving on the road need not necessarily listen only to english radio,( which itself the less said about it is better at this moment.)
I cannot for myself launch any FM station, on this but request QLers to think about it, and may be it is about time to request concerned authorities in ICT, ministries that a mix of private FM Radio can work in positive direction of everyone in the community.
Though there are other technology like SMS alert from Civil Defence, but then there could be security issues like no driver would read txt message whilst driving, or possibilty of rumour mongering based on a short TXT message also likely.
Always remember that a second saved for Civil defence and resucue operation teams to reach the crisis hit location in time could well be translated into lives being saved.
My final say kudos and respect for the brave hearts of Civil defense , rescue operations , police and brave citizen reporters for the work they do in saving our lives and keeping us informed
They hands are tied & their lips zipped shame about the reporting on the Villagio tragedy
Gives me a headache everytime I listen to QBS wants me to bang my head too..
QBS is run by idiots. I once was invited for an interview and to play some songs. So, I brought my DI box for the guitar with me (which makes the unbalanced guitar signal a balanced signal suitable for professional mixer iputs). However, the "sound engineer" just asked me: "What is that for?" - Any more questions?
Why does Bernie only play songs circa 1950's..... are they his own collection I wonder and does he forget that we have to bloody listen to songs that no one has heard of??? they really should get another news reader...that bird in the morning is bloody awful,,
What ever happened to 101.7FM? I used to have my daily dose of international news on my way to Messaieed and back. Now you cant even hear a clear broadcast here in Doha. Cant Al Jazeera afford a radio transmitter that can cover the whole of Qatar?
Even Saudi Aramco 91.4 is streets ahead of QBS in terms of music and programming.
I only listen to 106; they broadcast from Dubai and have good programs. Once more UAE is years ahead.
reason why I bought an I-pod dock for my car.
record some music and play it in your car. Problem solved! Hellowwwwwwwwwwww. This is Qatar, not UK or US or Philippines etc etc. Live with it or start your own show! Are you not tired of ranting?
In defence of Bernie Lions he did start the breakfast show with a Marilyn Manson track a couple of weeks ago. Driving in to work in the Middle-East to that after catching the end of the religious broadcast was one of life's more surreal moments.
On a more serious note I think that the issue is the dispensing of news in general. If you're constantly aware of the need not to criticise, or even imply it, then news coverage is going to be limited.
I think that this is an issue for the younger Qataris (and there are some thinking ones out there)to take up. This culture will be theirs in future and they need to play a role in shaping it.
HSS
I almost drove off the rode when the dj pronounced "Jimmy Buffet" as "Jimmy Buffee" (meaning buffet as the all you can eat type of restaurant..)
Also, If Mr. Lions sings along to one more song-especially a Robert Palmer song, my children are going to find him and smack him. STOP SINGING WITH THE SONGS!!
Does he even realize he is doing this?
I am living proof that you can still hear QBS while banging your head against the steering wheel in frustration at how INANE it is.
Mandi
Bernie Lions? LoL, quite some living fossil.
QBS is something that belongs to another age. It does not befit a modern country.
Apologies for going O/T on a rant.
I was deeply saddened and disappointed that the Villagio incident was not even mentioned on the 6pm bulletin that day.
Competition raises standards. It's time for some in the radio market.
Wretched programmes like 'The London Line' are like listening to BBC local radio in the 1970s. Absolutely irrelevant to the young, vibrant and multi-ethnic population in Qatar 2012.
Bernie? I have met him a few times.
There is no structure to QBS. No daily shows. One night driving home is punk rock, the next is country, then classical. The chart show sounds like someone has taped it off an in-flight radio programme.
I truly believe that the Eurovision show with people reading directly off Wikipedia is the worst piece of radio I have ever heard. Who is interested in hearing the Hungarian entry from 1983?
I guess iPods sell well...thank goodness my car has an iPod dock!
do you really want to go into the fact as to why there are no private radio FM in Doha?!
QBS is just a namesake station which is as good as a pre-recorded program repeated every 2 years for the past 25 years that i know of its existence.
Burney or whatever your name is,,,, I hate your voice and have heard it for the past 20 years.!! sick !