The Broadcasting Commission has issued a directive requiring broadcasters to take immediate steps to prevent transmission of any recorded material that promotes or glorifies lottery scamming, the use of the illicit drug Molly, and illegal guns.
The Commission in statement earlier today, said the directive reinforces its commitment to keeping airwaves free of harmful content given the important role traditional media still plays as agents of socialisation.
It noted that the use of the public airwaves to broadcast songs that promote or glorify illegal activity could give the wrong impression that criminality is an accepted feature of Jamaican culture and society.
Commenting on the directive, Executive Director of the Commission, Cordel Green, said it was the end product of a wide ranging process that included focused monitoring, decoding of subculture dialect and urban slangs, deliberations on balancing free expression and consultations with industry.
The Broadcasting Commission’s directive on banned music, include: the broadcast of a sampling of any song which promotes or glorifies scamming, illegal drugs (e.g. ‘Molly’), illegal or harmful use of guns or other offensive weapons, “jungle justice” or any other form of illegal or criminal behaviour is strictly prohibited.
Any edited song which directly or indirectly promotes scamming, illegal drugs, illegal or harmful use of guns or other offensive weapons, jungle justice, or any form of illegal or criminal activity.