Podcast

On Friday, the Beacon launched a podcast, “The Wave.” The first episode, which was posted on the Beacon’s Facebook page, featured a recap of 2020’s biggest articles from each of the newspaper’s reporters and editors. In the short but information-packed episode, they talked about the failed $7.2 million BVI Airways deal, the largest drug seizure in Virgin Islands history, the falling number of incorporations, a perceived threat to free speech, and the ongoing pandemic. Beaconites are happy to announce the new podcast, and they hope readers will tune in to listen. More episodes are coming soon.

 

 

Library lift-off

Plans have been in the works behind the scenes for a while, and now a Beaconite is thrilled to announce that Turtle Dove Library has a new, bigger home inside the BVI Reading Council offices. The room is located in the building next door to the BVI Red Cross. The library will be open at the new headquarters from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Having a larger indoor space means the TDL can offer a wider variety of books, allowing it to better serve the community. (And the Beaconite won’t have to pack up and hide from the rain on blustery afternoons.) She loves reporting on what is happening in the community, but she is also seeking ways to be more involved as a citizen. She looks forward to becoming an official council member and is endlessly thankful to Red Cross for helping the library get off the ground. Questions about the library can be directed to its Facebook page.

 

 

Going green

A Beaconite recently had the enlightening opportunity to tour Green VI’s recycling facilities on Tortola. Sometimes learning about society’s troubled relationship with the earth is overwhelming. But she appreciates the passion the staff and volunteers with Green VI bring to their work in the territory. Certainly, the roadblocks to progress are frustrating. But readers should know that a determined team is fighting for a cleaner future for the VI. The reporter encourages community members to check out this work for themselves, and maybe take the time to help sort recyclables for an afternoon. United, residents can move mountains — even mountains of trash.

 

 

Social media

 

A Beaconite has been thinking about a column he read recently that delves into a question he frequently struggles with: Do journalists really need a social media presence? There surely are many advantages to having one, as reporters can use large social media followings to attract tips or find sources. The Beaconite knows this, but as someone who wishes to spend less time on social media because he dislikes the stress it brings him, he has a hard time stomaching the idea of actively managing several professional profiles when his personal ones already give him so much grief. He was pleased, then, to read a columnist’s report on a survey that found respondents generally split on the importance of journalists broadcasting their opinions on Twitter and other platforms. He predicts that in the coming years social media platforms, as news-sharing devices, will be increasingly thought of as harmful instead of helpful, with Twitter falling farthest out of grace. He hopes so anyway, if only for selfish reasons: He believes his work should speak for itself, and he would much rather use his brainpower to produce better work than fret over whether a tweet strikes the desired tone.