Broadcasting Commission’s music ban gets mixed reactions online
KINGSTON, Jamaica- The Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica’s ban of music promoting illegal activities from the airwaves has been met with mixed reactions online.
READ: ‘No more scamming and molly songs’
Some social media users lauded the decision and suggested that the move was a step in the right direction towards repairing what they believe has been years of social and moral decline of Jamaican society.
“I support the broadcasting commission decision to ban those songs, now it’s up to parents/guardians to monitor what their children consume. Will it stop crime? More than likely no but it’s a step in the right direction. We all need to do our little bit to improve our society, this is a start, small steps create big changes.” said Twitter user Kiz_instyle.
“Make [a] way for the positive music. Jamaica doesn’t have a shortage of it. Let the DJs and ZJs go back to the drawing board, check your playlist, give us good music. Who want to hear ‘choppa songs’ can go stream it on your own. The dancehall space [is] open,” she tweeted.
Chris A Gayle shared a similar sentiment, tweeting: “Brilliant move from [the] Broadcasting Commission. We also take it for granted that a serious percentage of Jamaicans are still not privy to new media tools and don’t have access to the internet at least feed them with positivity.This policy is a step in right direction.”
RomeLibrou said he stood with the broadcasting commission “because artistry is absent from the music”.
He said, “Dancehall has always been heavy with the sex & violence, but also with the poetic. The emphasis today is on unbearable simplicity – chanting like primitive beings who can’t make full sentences.”
However, critics of the broadcasting commission’s decision said it will negatively impact Jamaican culture.
“The broadcasting commission just banned like 90 per cent of dancehall,” tweeted CruffBsc.
Another twitter user, Gyalsina added, “The broadcasting commission has single-handedly killed Jamaican radio.”
Dancehall artiste Kranium voiced his frustration via twitter.
“Jamaica broadcasting commission a gawn until dancehall move to foreign permanently … unu ago [mess] up the entire [Jamaican] culture,” said the recording artiste.