Premier congratulates VON for 25 years of service to the Nevisian community

NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (JUNE 18, 2013) – In a congratulatory message made in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Voice of Nevis (VON) Radio, Premier Hon. Vance Amory said as the people of Nevis reflect on the past two and a half decades, they must do so with gratitude for the service which VON Radio had provided.

As he expressed commendations to the management and staff of the mass medium, the Premier noted that VON Radio—which was established on June 18, 1988—had provided exceptional public service to the people of Nevis, the Federation and the region as a whole.

“VON Radio, under the dynamic, astute and creative leadership of Mr. Evered “Webbo” Herbert, has done a magnificent job of educating, informing and creating a new awareness of the political, social and economic affairs in Nevis and the Federation as a whole. It must be noted that VON Radio has been the leader and standard bearer in live. interactive radio which, in addition to informing all the persons who could access its programming, also gave everyone an opportunity to express their views freely on any issue of the day.

“It is a great pleasure for me to express congratulations to the owners and the General Manager and staff of VON Radio on the attainment of 25 years. In extending this greeting, I must make mention of Mr. Merrit Herbert whose vision it was to invest in this radio station to give the people of Nevis a voice and an avenue to communicate the Nevis story to persons within the Federation and the region wherever the sounds of VON Radio could be heard,” Premier Amory said, recalling that during times of disaster, VON Radio was the main source of information and the point of contact between residents of Nevis and their family and friends in the Diaspora.

The Herbert family’s investment in this service to the island and, by extension, the Eastern Caribbean was a risk which had benefited Nevisians significantly, the Premier point out.

“We, the people of Nevis, have reaped significant benefits and our story has been told far and wide and VON has remained a wonderful guardian and protector of the people’s right to freedom, defended the right of free speech and strengthened the concept of the “free press,” which is the fourth estate of our democracy.

“This media giant has been one of the guardians, if not the principal guardian of the freedoms and rights of our people by fearlessly discussing current, relevant issues and also opening its airwaves to many persons with the intellectual and technical capacity and competence to express their views but also to guide the public thinking on matters affecting our country,” the Premier said.

According to Premier Amory, VON Radio had withstood the test of time and remained a bulwark and a shining beacon in the mass media industry.

“I trust that this station will continue to serve as it has done in the past, in good times and in times of adversity. May God continue to bless, guard and protect this station as it serves the people of Nevis and gives a voice to all who need a voice. Congratulations VON at 25.”