PARLIAMENT’S human resource and social development committee has mandated chairman Dr Fenton Ferguson to invite, with dispatch, stakeholders of the press and music industry to its next sitting to help the committee assess and make recommendations to the relevant government agencies on how to halt the rampant indecency and lack of decorum gripping the country’s music industry.

The committee, which met Wednesday, blasted individuals, including the media, whom they accuse of supporting the vicious Gully/Gaza feud which has now spilled over into the education system causing mayhem among students.

Committee member Natalie Neita Headley who expressed concerns as a parent and parliamentarian, opened the floodgates of condemnation of other members attending the meeting, which has just finished deliberations on procedures for national awards.

Neita Headley said she had been inadvertently exposed to the issue as well as the violence, because of her children’s exposure.

“It has now taken on a different perspective at this time, because the children are now turning against each other, resulting from a feud between two entertainers, supposed to be two entertainers. I believe as a representative of the people we have a responsibility, to look at those items and issues that dishonour and discredit our people,” she said.

Displaying knowledge of some of the songs of disrepute, she said the education system is being ravaged.

At the heart of the debate are two artistes, Adijah Palmer, known as Vybz Kartel, and David Brooks otherwise called Mavado.

Gaza, which is associated with Kartel, was initially a musical term but has now been linked to a physical space, namely Waterford in St Catherine, the community where he resides.

Gully, however, was initially a physical space, the birthplace of Mavado in Cassava Piece.

Committee members could barely contain their disdain for individuals perpetrating and benefiting from the violence associated with the feud. Prime Minister Bruce Golding pointed an accusing finger at the media for its role in fuelling the musical gunfire.

Another member, Michael Stern, said the issue was much wider than being played out, and has now been incorporated into what he called the “G” culture – gangs, guns, Gully and Gaza.

Stern wants different stakeholders to address the committee on laws which need to be enforced or tightened to bring order to the situation.

“We need to be advised on what we need to do to tighten up on laws that are degrading the society. Once the tightening up can be done very quickly . we as a country can call on the various law enforcement groupings and ministries that have responsibility over certain things. But first we must call upon persons who have done research in this matter to bring information forward to this committee, so we can get ourselves up to the knowledge base as to what are the causes of this and what are their recommendations in trying to solve it,” Stern suggested.

Another member believes that if the airwaves can be cleaned, then this matter can also be arrested.

“We have had a situation where there has been a cleaning up of lyrics on the national airwaves. The first time I heard of this Gully/Gaza phenomenon was on the radio. And I think out press in this country should take responsibility for giving so much prominence to this phenomenon to the point where it has reached a situation where it has overtaken all of the young people and it is causing mayhem in a lot of areas in the society. And the press must look at itself and determine whether or not the glorification that is being given… to this phenomenon is deserving of that kind of publicity,” committee member Dr St Aubyn Bartlett said.

Among the agencies to be invited are the Press Association of Jamaica, the Jamaica Federation of Musicians, the Media Association of Jamaica, the National Parent Teachers Association, the Broadcasting Commission and Peace and Love in Schools (PALS) as well as the University of the West Indies. However, the PAJ, Broadcasting Commission and JFM will be the first to address the committee, it is hoped by the next fortnight.

Stern said he was not only concerned about the violence in Jamaica, but the destruction of the music industry, which others have done so much to build over decades and which has become associated positively with brand Jamaica.

“We have already seen where they are refusing to allow our artistes to perform in certain countries, it doesn’t just have to do with the gay (homosexual) matter, it has to do with violence in the music. And we want to make sure that we clean up these acts, because we have something to gain from this. The brand Jamaica culture is something we have to protect, it is to be tidied up quickly,” Stern said.

Neita Headley agreed.

“I believe it is time we address it, it has been going on for a long time, and it has contributed to much of what is not good about Jamaica right now. And I do not believe the entertainers are taking any responsibility for what is going on.” she suggested. “I believe we are in trouble if we don’t try.”