Programme Profile

Programme Name: Independent Talk

Programme Host: Althea McKenzie

Programme Description: This Morning Talk Show Programme has the distinction of providing its listeners with a wide range of information, ranging from farming to in-depth analysis of current events, as they start their day. Listeners have described the programme as one of 'the most information-oriented' on radio. It comes as no surprise then, that the programme has copped awards from numerous organizations such as Blue Cross of Jamaica, Jamaica Teachers' Association and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management for its informative programmes.

Independent Talk with host Althea McKenzie gives listeners a good start for the day with a devotional feature, ‘Word of the Day,’ between 5:00 a.m. and 5: 30 a.m., followed by a review of the island's two major newspapers. Other programme features include: Today's Money, Farm Talk, Honouring Kindness, On Our Roads, Your Legal Corner and more. There are also current affair segments such as Inside Story and The People's Agenda, during which there is in-depth discussion of both local and international current events. Listeners are also able to voice their opinions during the programme, during a call-in segment called 'The Voice of the People'. The programme ends at 9:00am.

About The Host:

Althea McKenzie graduated from Bethlehem Teacher’s College in 1990 with a diploma in Education in English and Geography, her first job was not in the classroom but at KLAS FM 89 whose operations were then based in Mandeville, Manchester. She interviewed for the job at mid-day and started working in the newsroom at six p.m. the same evening. While there she worked as a news sub-editor. Having done three years of teacher training, however, Althea felt she should give back to the profession and gave up her full time job at KLAS to move on to the Knox College, where she taught English Language, and Literature from first through fifth form and Social Studies to third formers. She also taught English Language at the Knox Community College. She however continued to work at KLAS on the weekend, honing her skills as a journalist.

In April 1993, Althea joined the Power 106FM team as a News Editor. She credits her tenure at POWER106 FM for not only giving her definition as a broadcast journalist, but for helping her to develop new talents. Since joining the staff at POWER 106 FM, she has done extensive work not only in broadcasting but also the administrative side of the business. Her list of jobs in the organization include: News Anchor, Senior News Editor, Senior Producer, Senior Executive Assistant- Sales & Marketing and Manager – Advertising & Marketing.

She has worked as stand in host for all major programmes on the Station – Perkins on Line, Independent Talk and Both Sides of the Story. She also hosts the inspirational Sunday morning programme “Power & Glory” which she conceptualized in 2005. With the departure of Ronnie Thwaites to serve as Education Minister – Althea has been hosting Independent Talk since January 2012.

In 2002 Althea decided to read for a degree at the University of the West Indies, Mona. She entered as a part time student, while working full time, but still managed to gain enough credits to earn the honour of being awarded Best Overall Student – Level One in the Faculty of Humanities and Education. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Education, Honours (BEd) degree in Language Education (English) from the University of the West Indies and will in September 2012 continue to read for a Master of Arts degree in a similar discipline. She also has certification in Computer Graphics from the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts.

Althea is also a talented singer who has received national awards in the JCDC Festival of the Performing Arts. She is currently a member of the internationally acclaimed University Singers. She is married and has one daughter.

Programme email: power106@cwjamaica.com

Telephone nos 968-4901- 3