THE MEDIA Association of Jamaica (MAJ) said yesterday that the Government's decision to allow advertisements on cable could affect jobs and investment in the media.
The Government's move dominated discussions at the association's regular monthly meeting in Kingston.
According to the the executive committee, it is particularly concerned that the decision to allow advertising on cable (subscriber television) will lead to an erosion of the revenues of media in general, and in particular radio and free-to-air television.
"It feared that in addition to job losses, investment in the industry would also decline, and the quality of local programmes which are already produced at a loss would suffer," the MAJ said in a statement.
CONCERNS
The meeting also expressed concern that the amendments, which were approved by the Senate last week, "remain silent on the critical issues of illegal programming, breaches of copyright, inadequate technical standards and the absence of sanctions which these should attract".
The association said that in light of the fact that the viability of media houses was threatened, a six-point emergency plan will be pursued
1. The immediate examination of broadcast licensees to see how best to shift programmes done at no charge in 'time allowed for Government broadcast' away from bands which have high revenue potential;
2. The cessation of the heavy discounts given to Government ministries and agencies;
3. Reducing to the minimum live broadcast of non-commercial events, including the non-essential components of the parliamentary budget debates;
4. Curtailing all non-essential broadcast of national events, unless required by licences or sponsored in full by Government sources;
5. The initiation of discussions with advertising agencies about the level of commissions media houses can pay for business secured through them;
6. Reducing discount levels for advertising.
