Julian Rogers
Encyclopedia
Julian Ernest Rogers, born of Guyanese parentage in Bridgetown, Barbados (11 November 1947- ), is an eminent Caribbean broadcaster and journalist, with over forty-five years' experience as broadcast manager, television and radio host and producer, publisher, trainer, lecturer, media consultant and public relations practitioner. Renowned for his biting interviews, he is known as "the Caribbean man" for his work across the region’s media landscape of television, radio and print, and is particularly recognized for his record of building national radio stations, notably in Barbados, St Kitts & Nevis, and Antigua & Barbuda.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Rogers pioneered regional news-gathering for radio in the Caribbean. His ground-breaking work in radio branding, programming, production and presentation, as well as in television, has established his reputation as one of the most respected media practitioners in the region. His TV talk show, "Talking Caribbean" (1998–2000) - featuring hour-long interviews with guests of all stripes, from politicians to entertainers - was a new concept in regional broadcasting, "the Caribbean Broadcasting Union’s first attempt at live interactive television". In 2002 Rogers and fellow broadcaster Julius Gittens were the first two Barbadians to be accredited under the CARICOM Skilled Nationals programme, granting freedom of movement within the Caribbean community.
He was also the publisher of the Sunday Scoop newspaper, founded in 2004 in Antigua & Barbuda.
, Caribbean Institute of Mass Media at Mona, Jamaica
(1974-5), on a UNESCO
scholarship, receiving a Diploma in Mass Communications for his thesis "The creation of an exchange regime for Caribbean radio and television programming and production", which was later converted into a UNESCO-funded project for the Caribbean Broadcasting Union
. He also attended Syracuse University
(1980) as a member of the International Media Program, and was on attachment to WCCO
television and radio in Minneapolis.
Service as a scriptwriter, eventually becoming a radio announcer, outside broadcast commentator and producer. His forays into television began in 1969 with his hosting of one of the first game shows in the region, which served as his launch into the new medium that had only just started in Barbados three years earlier.
Moving to Monserrat in 1970, he became an announcer for Radio Antilles
, hosting their morning show. Some years later, as Manager of their English Service (1976-7), he reformatted the station and established the Caribbean correspondents' news network, a forerunner of the Caribbean News Agency
. The station delivered breaking news of the Caribbean for much of the 1970s and 1980s.
In 1971, he was appointed Programme Director of ZDK Radio, in Antigua & Barbuda, establishing the country's first non-government-owned commercial radio station. Until March 1972 he hosted the morning show and anchored the major evening newscast.
Back in Barbados, he worked for the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation
(CBC) (1977-9) as a television news anchor, hosting and producing programmes such as "Understanding" (with young panelists including a future prime minister of Barbados, David Thompson
), "Window on the World" and "Yearenders". As a television host, Rogers has been acknowledged with setting standards of competence for the Caribbean comparable with those of Larry King
in the USA. During a subsequent stint at CBC (1981-2) he acted as the company's Programme Manager and Head of Productions.
He worked for eight years, from 1982 to 1990, as Programme Director for Barbados Rediffusion's "Voice of Barbados
", which he was responsible for rebranding.
From 1993 to 1995 he was General Manager of Prime Radio 106, a subsidiary of Caribbean Communications Network
(CCN) in Trinidad & Tobago, for which he then became an anchor on TV6
(1995-8). He became a pioneer of breakfast television in the country, launching Trinidad's first ever live morning television talk show with producer Natalie Williams. In 1998 Rogers found himself at the centre of a national controversy when the then Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago, Basdeo Panday
, refused to renew his work permit, leading to widespread protests by many, who felt the move was motivated by the fact that guests critical of the government had been among those featured on Rogers’ popular early morning current affairs show, “Morning Edition”.
In May 1998 he returned to Barbados, where he produced and hosted the country's first morning television show, "Wake Up Caribbean", for CBC.
He went on to establish the first independent radio station in St Kitts, Winn FM, in 2000, and the following year supervised the setting up of Antigua & Barbuda's first independent radio station.
As Chief Content Officer and a member of the executive group of Caribbean New Media Group
Limited (2007–08), Julian Rogers directed the development of content for the most modern national television, radio and new media company in the Caribbean. He also served as their Head of News and Current Affairs.
Latterly based in Antigua & Barbuda, where in 2001 he had served as consultant in the setting up of Observer Radio, Julian Rogers is currently General Manager of the Observer Media Group, under the chairmanship of Winston Derrick. He oversees the operations of two radio stations – Observer Radio and Hitz FM – as well as the Daily Observer newspaper, while continuing to develop strategies for international and Caribbean-wide media coverage.
Since 1975 Julian Rogers has also worked as an independent consultant to both government and private sector throughout the Caribbean region, including Guyana
, Belize
, Barbados, Jamaica
, Montserrat, Antigua & Barbuda, St Kitts & Nevis, St Maarten and Anguilla
. He was Corporate Communications Consultant for LIME
(Landline, Internet, Mobile, Entertainment), serving as a member of the consulting team working on the transformation of the 13-country business units into one pan-Caribbean company (June 2008-February 2009). He has served as adviser to several regional and international institutions on media development and to the University of the West Indies on media training.
As a trainer, he has been employed by "Voice of America
", and conducted a study of Caribbean television and radio content suitable for exchange under the aegis of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union
and UNESCO.
In addition, Julian Rogers has served on the Advisory Council to the Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on the CARICOM Single Market and Economy and sits on the Regional Advisory Board of the Jamaica-based Caribbean Institute for Media and Communication (CARIMAC).
His live broadcasts have often broken new ground for Caribbean television and radio, as with his 2007 coverage of the Trinidad & Tobago general elections, "CNews - Campaign 41," and his anchoring of the live broadcast covering the inaugural ceremony of the Caribbean Court of Justice
(CCJ), which took place in Trinidad & Tobago in April 2005. In November 2010 he commentated at the state funeral of Barbadian Prime Minister David Thompson.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Rogers pioneered regional news-gathering for radio in the Caribbean. His ground-breaking work in radio branding, programming, production and presentation, as well as in television, has established his reputation as one of the most respected media practitioners in the region. His TV talk show, "Talking Caribbean" (1998–2000) - featuring hour-long interviews with guests of all stripes, from politicians to entertainers - was a new concept in regional broadcasting, "the Caribbean Broadcasting Union’s first attempt at live interactive television". In 2002 Rogers and fellow broadcaster Julius Gittens were the first two Barbadians to be accredited under the CARICOM Skilled Nationals programme, granting freedom of movement within the Caribbean community.
He was also the publisher of the Sunday Scoop newspaper, founded in 2004 in Antigua & Barbuda.
Education
Julian Rogers was educated at Cooperative High School, Barbados (1960–64), where he was a Foundation Scholarship winner. He attended the University of the West IndiesUniversity of the West Indies
The University of the West Indies , is an autonomous regional institution supported by and serving 17 English-speaking countries and territories in the Caribbean: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Dominica,...
, Caribbean Institute of Mass Media at Mona, Jamaica
Mona, Jamaica
Mona is a neighbourhood in southeastern Saint Andrew Parish, approximately five miles from Kingston, Jamaica. A former sugar plantation, it is the site of a reservoir serving the city of Kingston and of the main campus of the University of the West Indies...
(1974-5), on a UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
scholarship, receiving a Diploma in Mass Communications for his thesis "The creation of an exchange regime for Caribbean radio and television programming and production", which was later converted into a UNESCO-funded project for the Caribbean Broadcasting Union
Caribbean Broadcasting Union
The Caribbean Broadcasting Union founded in 1970 is a not-for-profit association of public service and commercial broadcasters in the Caribbean...
. He also attended Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
(1980) as a member of the International Media Program, and was on attachment to WCCO
WCCO
WCCO, which stands for "Washburn Crosby Company", the forerunner to General Mills, may refer to:*WCCO , a radio station licensed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States...
television and radio in Minneapolis.
Broadcast and media career
Julian Rogers began his career as a broadcaster in March 1964, when he joined the Barbados RediffusionRediffusion
Rediffusion was a business which distributed radio and TV signals through wired relay networks. The business gave rise to a number of other companies, including Associated-Rediffusion, later known as Rediffusion London, one of the first companies to win a terrestrial ITV franchise in the UK...
Service as a scriptwriter, eventually becoming a radio announcer, outside broadcast commentator and producer. His forays into television began in 1969 with his hosting of one of the first game shows in the region, which served as his launch into the new medium that had only just started in Barbados three years earlier.
Moving to Monserrat in 1970, he became an announcer for Radio Antilles
Radio Antilles
Radio Antilles was a radio station founded in 1963, located on the Caribbean island of Montserrat. The station operated at 930 kHz AM and covered the entire Caribbean region. It aired programmes in the English, Spanish and French languages. English programming was broadcast all day on...
, hosting their morning show. Some years later, as Manager of their English Service (1976-7), he reformatted the station and established the Caribbean correspondents' news network, a forerunner of the Caribbean News Agency
Caribbean News Agency
Prior to the merger, the Caribbean News Agency founded in January 1976 as successor to the former Reuters Caribbean service, created by the Caribbean region's print and broadcast media outlets. Stake-holding media companies share their own local content with CANA which in turn would have access...
. The station delivered breaking news of the Caribbean for much of the 1970s and 1980s.
In 1971, he was appointed Programme Director of ZDK Radio, in Antigua & Barbuda, establishing the country's first non-government-owned commercial radio station. Until March 1972 he hosted the morning show and anchored the major evening newscast.
Back in Barbados, he worked for the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation
Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation
The Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation is the government-owned media corporation located in Barbados.The television service broadcasts on channel 8 and is the only legally-licensed, over-the-air television channel broadcasting in the country of Barbados...
(CBC) (1977-9) as a television news anchor, hosting and producing programmes such as "Understanding" (with young panelists including a future prime minister of Barbados, David Thompson
David Thompson
David Thompson may refer to:In exploration:*David Thompson , founder of the first European settlement in New Hampshire, United States...
), "Window on the World" and "Yearenders". As a television host, Rogers has been acknowledged with setting standards of competence for the Caribbean comparable with those of Larry King
Larry King
Lawrence Harvey "Larry" King is an American television and radio host whose work has been recognized with awards including two Peabodys and ten Cable ACE Awards....
in the USA. During a subsequent stint at CBC (1981-2) he acted as the company's Programme Manager and Head of Productions.
He worked for eight years, from 1982 to 1990, as Programme Director for Barbados Rediffusion's "Voice of Barbados
Voice of Barbados
Voice of Barbados was introduced in 1981 as Barbados' second radio station. Originally located at 790 AM, the station was meant to complement the Redifussion service...
", which he was responsible for rebranding.
From 1993 to 1995 he was General Manager of Prime Radio 106, a subsidiary of Caribbean Communications Network
Caribbean Communications Network
The Caribbean Communications Network Ltd. also known as the "CCN Group" Ltd., is a subsidiary of ONE Caribbean Media Limited. In December, 2005 both the Trinidad and Tobago-based Caribbean Communications Network and the Barbados-based Nation Corporation entered into a merger agreement for...
(CCN) in Trinidad & Tobago, for which he then became an anchor on TV6
TV6
TV6 may refer to:*TV-6 , defunct Russian television channel, closed by Russian authorities in 2002*TV6 , defunct French television channel broadcasting in 1986 and 1987, predecessor to M6...
(1995-8). He became a pioneer of breakfast television in the country, launching Trinidad's first ever live morning television talk show with producer Natalie Williams. In 1998 Rogers found himself at the centre of a national controversy when the then Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago, Basdeo Panday
Basdeo Panday
Basdeo Panday was the 5th Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago from 1995 to 2001 and has served as Leader of the Opposition from 1976–1977, 1978–1986, 1989–1995 and 2001–2010. He was first elected to Parliament in 1976 as the Member for Couva North. He is the former...
, refused to renew his work permit, leading to widespread protests by many, who felt the move was motivated by the fact that guests critical of the government had been among those featured on Rogers’ popular early morning current affairs show, “Morning Edition”.
In May 1998 he returned to Barbados, where he produced and hosted the country's first morning television show, "Wake Up Caribbean", for CBC.
He went on to establish the first independent radio station in St Kitts, Winn FM, in 2000, and the following year supervised the setting up of Antigua & Barbuda's first independent radio station.
As Chief Content Officer and a member of the executive group of Caribbean New Media Group
Caribbean New Media Group
The Caribbean New Media Group is a state-run media company in Trinidad and Tobago. The company operates three radio stations: Sweet 100.1, Next 99.1 and "Talk City 91.1", as well as a television station CNMG-TV.They also operate television services on channels 9, 13, and 6. Some of the station's...
Limited (2007–08), Julian Rogers directed the development of content for the most modern national television, radio and new media company in the Caribbean. He also served as their Head of News and Current Affairs.
Latterly based in Antigua & Barbuda, where in 2001 he had served as consultant in the setting up of Observer Radio, Julian Rogers is currently General Manager of the Observer Media Group, under the chairmanship of Winston Derrick. He oversees the operations of two radio stations – Observer Radio and Hitz FM – as well as the Daily Observer newspaper, while continuing to develop strategies for international and Caribbean-wide media coverage.
Since 1975 Julian Rogers has also worked as an independent consultant to both government and private sector throughout the Caribbean region, including Guyana
Guyana
Guyana , officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, previously the colony of British Guiana, is a sovereign state on the northern coast of South America that is culturally part of the Anglophone Caribbean. Guyana was a former colony of the Dutch and of the British...
, Belize
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
, Barbados, Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
, Montserrat, Antigua & Barbuda, St Kitts & Nevis, St Maarten and Anguilla
Anguilla
Anguilla is a British overseas territory and overseas territory of the European Union in the Caribbean. It is one of the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles, lying east of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and directly north of Saint Martin...
. He was Corporate Communications Consultant for LIME
Lime
-Chemistry:* Lime , a general term for inorganic materials containing calcium, usually calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide** Calcium oxide, aka burnt lime or quicklime** Calcium hydroxide, aka slaked lime, slack lime, pickling lime or hydrated lime...
(Landline, Internet, Mobile, Entertainment), serving as a member of the consulting team working on the transformation of the 13-country business units into one pan-Caribbean company (June 2008-February 2009). He has served as adviser to several regional and international institutions on media development and to the University of the West Indies on media training.
As a trainer, he has been employed by "Voice of America
Voice of America
Voice of America is the official external broadcast institution of the United States federal government. It is one of five civilian U.S. international broadcasters working under the umbrella of the Broadcasting Board of Governors . VOA provides a wide range of programming for broadcast on radio...
", and conducted a study of Caribbean television and radio content suitable for exchange under the aegis of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union
Caribbean Broadcasting Union
The Caribbean Broadcasting Union founded in 1970 is a not-for-profit association of public service and commercial broadcasters in the Caribbean...
and UNESCO.
In addition, Julian Rogers has served on the Advisory Council to the Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on the CARICOM Single Market and Economy and sits on the Regional Advisory Board of the Jamaica-based Caribbean Institute for Media and Communication (CARIMAC).
His live broadcasts have often broken new ground for Caribbean television and radio, as with his 2007 coverage of the Trinidad & Tobago general elections, "CNews - Campaign 41," and his anchoring of the live broadcast covering the inaugural ceremony of the Caribbean Court of Justice
Caribbean Court of Justice
The Caribbean Court of Justice is the judicial institution of the Caribbean Community . Established in 2001, it is based in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago....
(CCJ), which took place in Trinidad & Tobago in April 2005. In November 2010 he commentated at the state funeral of Barbadian Prime Minister David Thompson.