THE EDITOR, Sir:I WOULD like to know why is it since the past couple of months local DJs have been facing extreme pressure from the relevant authority for being verbally explicit when performing on stage shows? Why is it that this action was not taken so seriously until a few months ago? I think this policy is totally unfair with regard to DJs like Lady Shaw, Bounty Killer, Ninja Man, and other DJs that were penalised.
What usually happens is that certain lyrics used to be banned from airplay. A different standard has been taken generally. Why can't these entertainers pay a fine normally. Instead of being sent to court? I think restrictions are going to prevent Jamaican entertainers from performing in Jamaica. I don't think Jamaica is ready for this type of restriction.
There are a lot of other important things in Jamaica that are degrading which need the police's intervention. Wasn't this policy implemented in the 1980s and 90s when these entertainers in particular started their career deejaying? Let me say, for example, from the Sting show was started, no DJ has ever been summoned. There are some members of the public that attend certain types of stage shows to listen to certain entertainers perform. People don't just pay their money just like that. Dancehall fans know and are expecting to hear a certain type of verbal performance from their favourite DJs and this is the way those entertainers performed from the start of their career. Check their history.
I am not saying that I don't believe in the offence and I am concerned about the way it is being done.
I don't think they should be charged for a performance that the public is expecting to hear and what they have paid their money to hear. The only time I think they should be penalised is when they use explicit language at shows that they were warned and at least they were aware. I think the relevant authorities should rephrase the policy.
I am, etc.,
MARK BELL
Photographer
