BCJ suggests more regulation coming to the internet

 

Executive Director of the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica Cordel Green, has signalled that more regulation is coming to the internet, and this will impact those who are criticising the commission for its recent ban on certain content from the airwaves.

 

Mr. Green argues that while certain content may now migrate from local airwaves, the internet is not a free-for-all as they believe.

 

The Broadcasting Commission has been heavily criticised and praised at the same time for its directive earlier this week.

 

It ordered that radio and television stations should halt the transmission of any recorded material that promotes and glorifies illegal activities.

 

There has been push back from stakeholders who argue that the content is already available on the internet and more content will now be online.

 

But Mr. Green says despite the appearance of freedom on the internet, the international community has already started to restrict content based on its own standards.

 

He states that there is more responsibility being placed on content producers and local players may have a rude awakening. 

 

"So this notion that, you know, we can sing and we can promote criminality and we can promote all kinds of things and you can do what you want on radio because we're just going to move onto other platforms, those days are numbered, because everybody is accepting that you just cannot operate in this digital economy and society without standards," Mr. Green warned while speaking as a guest on TVJ's All Angles on Wednesday night.   

 

The Broadcasting Commission boss added that local stakeholders may not have been taking notice of emerging trends on the international scene which will affect their freedom of expression.

 

He cited Europe, for instance, which he said is "far advanced" in designing regulations for exponential technologies, artificial intelligence, as well as the metaverse, which is the next generation of social networking. 

 

"So there is this global discussion that is taking place. So it has everything to do with freedom of expression, because freedom of expression is protected and preserved when there is regard for the responsibilities that come with those freedoms," he insisted.