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Jamaica bans music and TV broadcast deemed to 'normalize' gun violence, drug use and scamming

Jamaica had previously implemented such a ban in 2009. The latest ban is part of the government’s strategic crack down on rising crime

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: With ever rising number of violence cases in the country, Jamaica’s broadcasting regulator has gone ahead with a controversial decision to ban music and TV broadcasts deemed to promote or glorify criminal activities, including drug use, violence, weapons and scamming. As per the government statement, the move aims to bring down content that "could give the wrong impression that criminality is an accepted feature of Jamaican culture and society."

As many expected, Jamaican artists and entertainers have criticized the official decision, citing that it will not significantly reduce crime and excludes groups that are affected by increased gun violence from the discourse. “Art imitates life, and the music is coming from what is happening in Jamaica for real,” said Jamaican Grammy Award-winning music producer and singer, Stephen McGregor. Popularly called Di GENIUS, he added, “But because it doesn’t fit the moral mold of what they would like it to look like, they try to hamper it,” according to Daily Mail.

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Jamaica had previously implemented such a ban in 2009. The latest ban is part of the Jamaican government’s strategic crack down on rising crime, where it recently introduced amendments to the island’s gun laws. As per the new rule, illegal possession of guns and other gun offences will bring stringent penalties now. Jamaica earned in an infamous title for being the only country in Latin America and the Caribbean region last year to have recorded highest murder rate, reported research center Insight Crime.

The Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica said in a statement that specific music or video on public broadcasts “normalize criminality among vulnerable and impressionable youth.” It further read, “Audio or video recording, live song, or speech which promotes and/or glorifies scamming, illegal use or abuse of drugs (e.g. ‘Molly’), illegal or harmful use of guns or other offensive weapons, 'jungle justice' or any other form of illegal or criminal activity.”

It continued, “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. This includes live editing and original edits (e.g. edits by producer/label) as well as the use of near-sounding words as substitutes for offensive lyrics, expletives, or profanities."

Di GENIUS, 32, called out the move to be a hit on free speech on the people, and suggested the authorities should address the the economic crisis brought on by the pandemic that has sparked violence. He added that throughout his career, his own music has been taken off the airwaves due to references to sex and firearms, but these prohibitions were never truly enforced, the report said.