Jamaicans oppose foul broadcasts

Pat Roxborough, Staff Reporter

WESTERN BUREAU -

JAMAICANS ARE becoming more vocal about cleaning up the airwaves, according to the Broadcasting Commission, which is responsible for keeping foul language out of the media.

"A clear trend is that reporting of suspected violations by the public is increasing," said the Broadcasting Commission's Executive Director Sonia Gill. "One may attribute this to the Broadcasting Commission becoming more visible since 1997."

In 1997, the commission warned one radio station for an offensive joke made by an announcer. In five instances it corrected the media in 1998 and four last year. Last year's listing of violations are expected this week.

"The commission does not wish to comment in detail on last year's violations before the licensees have had a chance to receive copies of the 1999 complaints report," Miss Gill said.

Under Regulation 30(d) of the Television and Sound Broadcasting Regulation it is illegal to air indecent or profane material.

According to the commission, indecency and profanity include Jamaican curse words, curse words generally known in English-speaking territories, offensive swear words, vulgar or offensive descriptions of sexual objects or actions relating to bodily functions and offensive portrayals of sensitive subjects.

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