WHEN I first read about Dr Kingsley 'Ragashanti' Stewart - the "ghetto youth who overcame the odds and a turbulent childhood to achieve outstanding academic success" (my words) - I, like many others who read it, was moved by his story. Many Jamaicans could take a leaf out of Dr Stewart's book.

Several years later, he is on radio three hours per day, five days per week. If ever Jamaican media needed someone like Ragashanti, it is now. His story could provide inspiration and motivation for thousands of youths who think that because they weren't born with the proverbial silver spoon in their mouth, there is no hope. How effective it would be if 'Ragga' interfaced with those youngsters and their parents sharing anecdotes of his challenges and struggles, showing the way forward.

Street hustler

Sadly, Dr Stewart has opted to "play to the gallery" by delivering the most disgusting radio show that has ever been presented on daytime radio in this country's history. This outstanding intellectual has chosen to use the medium like a street hustler seeking instant fame and popularity. And it seems to be working. I am confounded that despite the attempts by the Broadcasting Commission to sanitise the airways, Ragashanti goes on his merry way unmolested and unfazed. Regrettably, it seems the station management's only interest is audience numbers; but the Broadcasting Commission should have acted by now to get him to clean up his act. Instead of trying to enlighten and educate his listeners, instead of attempting to take them with him to a higher place, he has chosen to keep them in the gutter, holding on to his overt sexual outpourings, like hungry vultures seeking crumbs from his table.

You are wasting an excellent opportunity, Dr Stewart. You need to rethink your strategy. You don't have to be crude and vulgar to be popular. The times demand better than that from those who know better. What you are doing now could be done by any uneducated moron who chooses to deliver all his dirty jokes and prurient thoughts to anyone who will listen. Broadcasting demands a much higher standard.

I am, etc.,

E. HANDEL WALLACE

Kingston