NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, AUGUST 31, 2025 15 RADIO JAMAICA 75TH ANNIVERSARY FEATURE | THE SUNDAY GLEANER | AUGUST 31, 2025 IN 2020, the world faced one of the greatest modern upheavals of our time. COVID-19, a global phenomenon that brought entire nations to a standstill, shook economies, disrupted lives, and rede ned the very way people connected. Yet, in the silence of lockdowns, the uncertainty of curfews, and the fear of a world transformed, Radio Jamaica 94FM stood rm, steadfast, familiar, and unbroken. It reminded Jamaicans that radio was never merely about music or headlines; it was about connection, trust, and carrying forward the nation’s enduring mantra: “Active for the Good of Our Nation.” While digital platforms, streaming services, and social media vied for attention, Radio Jamaica proved that its power lay not in novelty, but in authenticity. Its voices were the voices of the people; trusted companions who understood the pulse of communities, who could comfort, inform, and inspire in equal measure. At a time when algorithms felt cold and impersonal, radio hosts became storytellers and guardians of culture, re ecting back to listeners not just news and entertainment, but a sense of belonging. The medium itself was already evolving into a hybrid force. The warmth of the FM signal continues to reach farmers in rural parishes, while digital streams carry the same programming to Jamaicans across the globe. A taxi driver in Kingston could tune in on a transistor set, while a student in London could listen through an app, and both were part of the same heartbeat of home. Radio Jamaica bridged the distance, proving that the signal, whether on airwaves or online, remained a lifeline. Most of all, 2020 underscored radio’s enduring role as a pillar of trust. In moments of crisis; when storms raged, when the internet faltered, when the world seemed uncertain; Jamaicans instinctively turned the dial to Radio Jamaica 94FM. There was no buffering, no barrier, no static that could silence the human voice on the other end.What they heard was clarity, reassurance, and unity. Seventy- ve years after Radio Jamaica rst took to the airwaves with the mission to inform, educate, and entertain, its signal still carries far beyond music or news. It is the echo of resilience, the sound of a people refusing to be disconnected, and the promise that no matter how the world changes, radio will remain timeless, adaptive, and at the very heart of national life. Because radio was never only about frequencies. It has always been about people. And in that truth, Radio Jamaica 94FM will forever be “the signal beyond the static”. Radio Jamaica 94FM THE SIGNAL BEYOND THE STATIC mission, the Group was able to build meaningful relationships with the public and create a positive impact that extended beyond its core business operations. Our Group’s response to disaster was swift following the rampage of Hurricane Beryl in October 2024. Our rallying cry of One, One Cocoa..Full basket sparked a movement that over owed with support for those in need across the island.The RJRGLEANER Group with our brands at the forefront spearheaded the campaign, a heartwarming initiative aimed at providing support to those affected by the hurricane. The campaign effected partnerships with Corporate Jamaica, listeners, viewers and staff to collect and distribute essential items, including food, water and other supplies to help families in need. The RJRGLEANER Communications Group’s commitment to nation-building, through its Community and Outreach programmes, has been long and distinguished and is well appreciated because, as the bene ciaries echo, “WE CARE”. SUPPORT CONTINUED FROM 13
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