The opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has raised concerns about the burning of a Jamaican flag in a television advertisement.
The advertisement was done on behalf of Saturn, a chain of German electronic stores located in several European countries.
Olivia “Babsy” Grange, Opposition Member of Parliament and Spokesperson for Culture, wants the Jamaican government to raise the matter through Germany’s Embassy in Jamaica.
She argued that the depiction of the flag in a segment of the ad was in a manner that was unacceptable
“Whilst the commercial with heavy Jamaican influences may have been devoid of malicious intent as partly illustrated by the prominent unfurling of the Jamaican flag in the end, it is unacceptable to have images of Jamaica’s national flag being desecrated in fact the same is true for any national flag the world over.”
At the same time Grange called on the Government to carry on the work of an Inter-Ministerial Committee, previously led by her, which was formulating policy guidelines for the management and regulation of the use, display and performance of Jamaicaís National Emblems and Symbols.
She said completion of this work will ensure that Jamaica’s National Emblems and Symbols are safeguarded from abuse.