The Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica has directed the management of Nationwide News Network (NNN) Limited to immediately discontinue transmission of the radio programme 'Ragashanti Live' in its current daytime slot.
The station has also been required to take the necessary steps to bring its programming into conformity with its public service broadcasting licence and the applicable broadcasting regulations.
The Broadcasting Commission issued the directive after receiving numerous public complaints over the last two months and following its own review of NNN's programming during the period February 7 to March 2, 2011.
As a result, Nationwide News Network Limited has been cited by the Commission for at least 18 serious breaches of its licence and of the broadcasting regulations.
On January 13, 2011 NNN was cited for broadcasting graphic sexual content and content that was not suitable for transmission or broadcast at any time. The station committed similar serious breaches on January 20, 2011 by transmitting an expletive on the airwaves during its Lunch-time programme.
In addition, a succession of some 15 serious breaches of the regulations and of its licence was found between February 7 and March 2, 2011.
The programme host of Ragashanti Live was found to regularly engage in and encourage callers to voice scandalous, derogatory and insulting remarks which, according to the regulations, should not be transmitted from any sound broadcasting facilities of radio licensees "at any time".
The programme was also found to be largely dedicated to explicit and detailed discussions by the host and by some callers of adult sexual activity and situations, unsuitable for unencrypted daytime listening, especially by children.
-- Edited by Mrs-GP_Slmaz on Tuesday 15th of March 2011 09:22:54 AM