RESTRICTION ON ILLICIT CONTENT IS ABOUT SETTING STANDARDS

Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with Responsibility for Information, Hon. Robert Morgan has reiterated that the Broadcasting Commission’s restriction on illicit content is not about banning music but setting standards.

He said the entity is responsible for managing the country’s free-to-air radio, television, and information portals in a way that “greatly shapes the psychology and perspective of the Jamaican people.”

“This is the standard that the people of Jamaica have set; this is what we want as a society. This is how our society should be framed, how our children should be socialised, and how our radio and television should function,” Mr. Morgan said.

On Wednesday, October 19, he addressed the Broadcasting Commission’s Strategic and Operational Planning Retreat at Ocean Coral Spring Hotel.

Last year, the Broadcasting Commission announced a restriction on content transmitted through radio, television or cable services of any audio or video recording, live song or speech that promotes and glorifies illicit activities such as scamming, drug abuse, and gun violence.

Minister Morgan supported the move and noted that the Government, or State authority, has a responsibility to uphold policies that help to make Jamaica a better place.

The Broadcasting Commission’s Strategic and Operational Planning Retreat ran from October 18-20. Over the three days, the entity’s leadership team engaged in corporate governance training, strategic planning and budgeting, among other focus areas.

Chairman, Professor Lloyd Waller, said the Commission is reviewing its capacity and ability to facilitate positive change in Jamaica.

“We will equip ourselves with the tools, techniques and strategies needed to advance humanity and Jamaica in this particular instance. That is the only way that we, as an organisation, in a small developing country, can think about the future,” he said.