THE BRITISH Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has been ordered by Jamaica's Broadcasting Commission to apologise to its Jamaican audience, within a fortnight, for transmitting obscene material on its World Service radio broadcast, or face further disciplinary action, which includes losing its special licence.
"The BBC contravened Regulation 30 (d) and (l), when it included in a documentary clips of a song by local artiste Buju Banton, Boom Bye Bye, containing indecent colloquialisms used to describe homosexual men and lyrics that explicitly supported violence against this group," the Commission stated yesterday.
According to the Commission's executive director, Cordel Green, the BBC "failed to follow a directive of the Commission" by including extracts of Boom Bye Bye during the programme 'Outlook', which was aired at 2 p.m. local time on October 28.
Under the 1996 Television and Sound Broadcasting Regulations, Regulation 30 states that no licensee shall permit to be transmitted (d) any indecent or profane matter and (1) any portrayal of violence which offends against good taste, decency or public morality. The regulations state that "any person who contravenes any provision of these regulations commits an offence and is liable on conviction before a Resident Magistrate to a fine not exceeding $10,000, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months". Loss of licence is also a possible consequence.
According to Mr. Green, the BBC contacted the Commission to explain that the song was being used as part of a documentary depicting the prejudices and violence faced by homosexual men in Jamaica, specifically featuring the experiences of a gay Jamaican who had been recently granted asylum in the United Kingdom.
"It doesn't make the song any less offensive," Mr. Green told The Gleaner yesterday. "The transmission of that song in Jamaica was inappropriate."
The BBC was granted a special licence earlier this year to relay its World Service Caribbean programming in Jamaica, and officially launched the local FM service in October. However, within two months, the BBC must apologise to its Jamaican audience or face further action by the Commission.
On National Heroes Day, October 21, TVJ aired an unedited version of the cult classic movie, The Harder They Come, at 5.30 p.m., contravening the same regulations 30 (d) and (l). The film contains violence, expletives and nudity.
"We have asked them to submit a report to review the system they have in place," Mr. Green said. "Given the number of cases that we have dealt with (concerning TVJ) for the year, there may be some systemic weakness."
According to the Commission, this is the fourth "serious infraction" by TVJ this year and, despite internal action by the station against the responsible employee and airing public apologies, the broadcasting regulatory body has "directed the broadcaster to apply stricter controls for vetting material for broadcast."
TVJ has 14 days to submit the report on additional measures that it has taken to ensure future compliance with the law.
