Fabian Ledgister, Staff Reporter
Leighton Thomas, CETv's chairman and chief executive officer, elected director and spokesperson for AIPP. - CONTRIBUTED
IN RESPONSE to the Broadcasting Commission's announcement last Wednesday to begin enforcing the ban on advertising appearing on the service of subscriber television operators, local cable stations have formed their own group, Association of Independent Programme Providers (AIPP).
Chairman of cable station CETv, Leighton Thomas, who has been elected as director and spokesperson for the AIPP, said that the group's foremost agenda is the acquisition of licensing for the cable stations.
"The meeting was a landmark event, as this is the first time all stations met, communicated, and have decided to speak as one voice," said Mr. Thomas.
The group already consists of Hype TV, Reggae Entertainment TV, Cable View TV, New Birth Production, Jamaica News Network, CETv, Music +, Juice TV, DC Digital, and Best Seat In The House.
"After meeting with Minister Whiteman in February, though a date was not set, we were told that the matter would have been put to Parliament by March; in March we were told April ... now we are being told December, and we are concerned," argued Mr. Thomas.
A PRODUCTIVE MEETING
Minister Whiteman met with the AIPP on Saturday, and though the group remained 'tight-lipped' on the particulars of the meeting, they called it "a productive meeting".
Regardless, the Broadcasting Commission will be going forward with their enforcement, stating that is has stemmed from countless complaints of advertising appearing on the service of subscriber television operators. They have said that they have in fact identified breaches.
"All service television operators are hereby directed to refrain from transmitting local advertisements on local channels which are not carrying national broadcasts, as specified by Section 17 (1) (c) of the Television and Sound Broadcasting Regulations, 1996," read an excerpt from a press release issued by the Broadcast Commission.
Section 17 (1) (c) states: "A licensee who operates subscriber television service shall not carry any local advertisements other than advertisements transmitted on channels carrying national broadcasts."
ENFORCING ESTABLISHED LAWS
The commission says that the issue of the directive is a matter of equity on the part of the regulator. Although the law states that these providers are to be financed from subscription fees only, the AIPP argues that the local industry is much different from abroad, and oftentimes they do not even see these said funds.
Complaints are said to be stemming from stations under the umbrella of the Media Association of Jamaica (MAJ). CEO of the Media Association of Jamaica, Neville James, said that the Broadcasting Commission is simply enforcing established laws. Though they admit that income from provider subscription fees may not be viable, they explain that these operators were provided with ulterior means of income by Minister Whiteman.
"They are allowed to carry data, Internet services, and the Minister (Burchell Whiteman) had said that they would be allowed to establish local area telephone networks," said Mr. James.
This move comes on the eve of the launch of 'Tempo,' the Caribbean Television Network launched by international entertainment powerhouse, MTV (Music Television).
"Individually we have our speculations on the irony of this happening at the time of the MTV launch, but as a group we cannot confirm that at this time," said Mr. Thomas.
The AIPP will be on a campaign of public support. They appeared on 'Nationwide News' with Cliff Hughes on Cool 97 last Thursday night. They argue that the nation's laws have not been updated to comply with technological advances, adding that these subscriber service providers are all registered corporations, all collect GCT for the economy, and some have Tax Compliance Certificates.
"We provide over 1,000 jobs, especially young creative people with our initial members alone, we are a source of education for our field with active internship programs, and now we are seeking the support of the public in our time of need," said Mr. Thomas. "We are not seeking a fight, we are simply seeking a licence, but we will fight for it."
