Payola to be made a criminal offence

• Fines of up to $15 million proposed; speedier process requested
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THE BROADCASTING Commission of Jamaica (BCJ) on Tuesday indicated that laws to make the practice of payola a criminal offence could be on the books by next June.

The BCJ crossed a major hurdle recently when, according to its chairman, Professor Hopeton Dunn, the Government signalled that it had accepted a number of recommendations made by the commission to tackle the issue.

Dunn, who was speaking at the monthly board meeting of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) at the Knutsford Court Hotel in St Andrew, said the Government has given the assurance that those recommendations will be taken to Parliament in this calendar year.

speed up process

"We think that by next year this time this piece of legislation should be enacted," Dunn said.

He indicated that the commission was not satisfied with the Government's response time, saying he would like to see the process move faster.

However, Dunn pointed out that the BCJ does not have control over the process, and was "going on the strength of the indications we have received".

In addition, he said the process could be further delayed because the required regulations will have to be drafted after the legislation is passed in Parliament.

The BCJ chairman did not reveal which of the BCJ's recommendations have been accepted by the Government, but said the agency had proposed that payola - the practice of secretly giving and receiving bribes to guarantee airplay - be made a criminal offence that would be punishable by fines of up to $15 million.

Even with the stiffer proposed penalties, Professor Dunn conceded that stamping out the practice will remain a difficult task.

"It will not be easy to catch the offenders, but should we be so fortunate to do so the actions should be exemplary," he argued.

"The perpetrators are engaged in massive exchange of funds, not simple small change being exchanged, and therefore the fines should be substantial," Dunn added.

He said the BCJ will ensure that it balances the rights and responsibilities of the industry against breaches and sanctions.

Dunn said the commission will also ensure that it respects the creative freedom of recording artistes, but will not relent in its efforts to "clean up" the airwaves.