Will other Caribbean governments follow suit? This is the hot button question following Jamaica’s Broadcasting Authority’s announcement that content found to be glorifying illegal activity would be banned from the nation’s airwaves.
The revelation made a few days ago has been highly criticized in some quarters. “We can’t stop the creatives (artists) from singing about what they see around them or grew around,” said artist Manager, Romeich, via an Instagram post. “Jamaica the only country that has children? Because the same children listen to these same songs elsewhere,” he pressed.
Jamaica’s broadcasting authority’s move covers both radio and television, listing specific topics that are strictly prohibited, such as drug abuse, scamming and the illegal use of firearms.
In a social media post, reggae artist, Queen Ifrica warned her fellow creatives that a similar ban had taken place some years prior to the incarceration of Vybz Kartel. She said the artistes need to come together now more than ever.
The agency’s decision comes amid high levels of violent crime in Jamaica. As a result, content that openly promotes illegal or criminal activity are prohibited, in an effort, the authority said, “to keep the airwaves clean.” The broadcast authority further explained that it feared that such offensive content could normalise criminality among young adults and “vulnerable and impressionable” youth.
In 2009, regulators banned music promoting sex, violence, murder or arson, when “daggering” – a type of sexually-suggestive dancing -gained in popularity in Jamaica.
The broadcasting commission’s statement said while there had to be regard for freedom of expression, content promoting criminality conflicted with the “tenets of responsible broadcasting”.
The Tobago Festivals Commission Limited has officially launched Tobago Heritage Festival 2025. The theme for this year’s Festival is “Time Longer Than Twine”.
This year’s theme pays homage to a local proverb that encourages patience and perseverance. It suggests that while a physical twine or rope has a limited length, time is endless and vast, meaning that if one is patient and works diligently, their desired outcome will eventually come to pass.
The month of July has also been declared ‘Heritage Month’ with islandwide events from July 4th to August 1st with the ‘Grand Opening Gala’ carded for July 10th. This event will be managed in partnership with the Tobago Performing Arts Company who will curate the event’s structure.
The Festival will also feature several iconic events such as Belmanna Riots in Roxborough, Courtship Codes in Golden Lane and Yesterday’s Children as well as signature events like Charlotteville’s Natural Treasures Day & the Tobago Ole Time Wedding in Moriah.
There are also several competitions being staged inclusive of Junior Heritage (July 8th), Heritage Food Fair (July 11th), Folk Fiesta (July 15th), the popular Ms Tobago Heritage Personality Show (July 25th) and the Heritage Calypso Monarch (July 26th).
The One Caribbean Music Festival will go on as planned, according to organizers.
Following news that headliner, Vybz Kartel would not be in T&T for the event, organisers OCMF, via media release, confirmed the situation and explained that the matter unfolded as a result of local regulations that did not permit the final financial transaction allowance, to the artiste’s management.
The initial media release, which highlighted the artiste’s cancellation, was issued by Trinidad and Tobago advertising agency, Lonsdale Saatchi & Saatchi.
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