STATEMENT BY THE BROADCASTING COMMISSION ON ACTIONS AND RECENT
DIRECTIVES RELATING TO BROADCAST MEDIA CONTENT
The Commission assures the public that it continues to actively work with
broadcast licensees, the Minister of Information, the Media Association of
Jamaica, the Jamaica Association of Community Cable Operators, the
Entertainment Fraternity and other stakeholders to bring a halt to the deluge
of inappropriate content on the airwaves. The public will have already seen and
should continue to expect strong disciplinary action against those who fail to
cooperate and comply with the broadcasting regulations.
The Commission has examined a number of songs, popularly referred to as
“daggering songsâ€. “Daggering†is a colloquial term or
phrase used in dancehall culture as a reference to hardcore sex or what is
popularly referred to as “dry†sex, or the activities of persons
engaged in the public simulation of various sexual acts and positions. The
Commission has found these recordings to be explicitly sexual and violent,
contrary to the provisions of Regulation 30(d) and Regulation 30(l) of the
Television and Sound Broadcasting Regulations which state:
30. No licensee shall permit to be transmitted –
(d) any indecent or profane matter, so, however, that any broadcast to which
regulation 26 relates shall be deemed not to be indecent; Reg. 30(d)
(l) any portrayal of violence which offends against good taste, decency or
public morality. Reg. 30(l)
This content also offends against the tenets of the Children’s Code
for Programming. Consequently, the following directive has been issued to
Broadcasters:
DIRECTIVE TO LICENCEES
1. There shall not be transmitted through radio or television or cable
services, any recording, live song or music video which promotes the act of
‘daggering’, or which makes reference to, or is otherwise
suggestive of ‘daggering’.
2. There shall not be transmitted through radio or television or cable
services, any audio recording, song or music video which employs editing
techniques of ‘bleeping’ or ‘beeping’ of its original
lyrical content.
3. Programme managers and station owners or operators are hereby required to
take immediate steps to prevent transmission of any recorded material relating
to ‘daggering’ or which fall into the category of edited musical
content using techniques of ‘bleeping’ or
‘beeping’.
CHANGES TO THE BROADCASTING REGULATIONS
The Commission has already recommended to government important changes to the
law governing broadcasting and which are intended to be tabled in Parliament
soon. The changes include:
• The introduction of financial sanctions for breaches of the
regulations. Ensuring that the compilation of music charts is in accordance
with an approved methodology.
• Maintaining playlists and programme logs of music played for
examination by the Commission and accredited rights agencies.
• Evidence of approval of music sheets and playlists by station
management before any song or video is transmitted.
• The arrangements for inclusion of local cable channels within the group
of directly regulated operators, further to recent changes in the Broadcasting
and Radio Re-Diffusion Act.
EXPANDED CITIZEN-BASED MONITORING
The Commission recognizes the critical role that citizens can and should play
in monitoring the numerous radio and television channels that exist. In this
regard, the Commission encourages continued submission of complaints about
problematic content on electronic media. As a response to the increase in
broadcasting and cable outlets, the Commission itself will be establishing
islandwide Citizen based Media Monitors to assist in more comprehensive and
effective monitoring of radio and television output. The media monitors will be
drawn from diverse age groups, communities and organizations across the
country. The Commission is also accepting volunteers.
CONTACTING THE COMMISSION
Members of the public are encouraged to support the Commission in monitoring
the airwaves and reporting any breach of the directive or otherwise
transmission of inappropriate content.
The Broadcasting Commission may be contacted at 1-888-99-CABLE (22253).
Email messages can also be sent to  info at broadcom.org to report complaints
or to seek additional information.
SIGNED: BROADCASTING COMMISSION
