The attention of the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica (BCJ) has been drawn to printed and online media reports of a list of local and international recordings which are being represented as music disallowed by the Commission in consequence of the recent directives.

Under existing arrangements, test transmissions are authorised by the Spectrum
Management Authority (SMA). These arrangements can apply to entities which have
not yet been licensed, and would therefore not be within the remit of the
Broadcasting and Radio Re-Diffusion Act (BRRA) and the Television and
Sound Broadcasting Regulations (TSBR).

In its editorial on Friday, June 19, 2009, the Gleaner referred to recent comments made by me before Parliament’s Appropriations Committee. The thrust of the editorial was that the comments require clarification of the Commission’s position regarding the regulation of content on the Internet.

The cable and broadcast radio sectors are expanding, with the issuing of three additional limited area radio licences and three Subscriber Television (STV) Licences by the Office of the Prime Minister.

It has come to the attention of the Broadcasting Commission that visiting representatives of the television company HBO Latin American Group have been engaged in media briefings concerning alleged copyright infringements in Jamaica and on their expectations of the Broadcasting Commission in regulating or mediating in the matter.

The Broadcasting Commission today directed Subscriber Television (STV) licensees, subject to terms of contract, to refund subscribers who have paid for HBO and Cinemax channels that have been discontinued.

It is with deep regret that the Broadcasting Commission has learnt of the passing of Mr. Wycliffe Bennett, broadcaster, scholar, cultural icon, master elocutionist, outstanding television producer and renowned Master Director for stage and screen. He was 87 years old.

Director of the UWI’s Telecommunications Policy and Management Programme at the Mona School of Business, Dr Hopeton Dunn, has been selected to be the moderator of a session of the forthcoming United Nations conference on global democratic governance of the Internet.

The Broadcasting Commission joins with the rest of the country in celebrating the life of an outstanding Jamaican patriot, Professor Barrington (Barry) Chevannes.

The Broadcasting Commission is acutely aware that in the emerging global digital media landscape, there must be forward looking policies and regulations locally. This is especially the case if the electronic media sector in Jamaica is to grow and develop both as viable businesses and as vital contributors to national development.