Broadcasting Commission completes investigation into ZIP FM controversy
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Following an investigation by the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica (BCJ) into radio station ZIP FM, regarding a radio personality presenting a gift-wrapped wooden axe-handle to a man charged with assaulting commuters, BCJ’s Executive Director, Cordel Green, says the widespread public disapprobation was enough to send a clear signal to the radio station.
“The widespread public disapprobation was enough to send a clear signal that people are no longer making sharp distinctions between platforms and they expect broadcasters to be consistent in their conduct and to uphold high broadcasting standards at all times,” Green said in a statement on Friday.
Additionally, the BCJ, the regulatory body responsible for monitoring radio, television, and cable services in Jamaica, said having completed its investigation into the radio station the Commission has determined that the offensive content was not broadcast on ZIP FM’s licenced over-the-air radio broadcasting service, over which the Commission has regulatory jurisdiction.
However, it said, “Nonetheless, the Commission strongly censured ZIP FM because the recording was insensitive, shocked the public conscience, and has brought the radio service into disrepute.”
READ: Man in viral video intimidating passengers in a taxi, charged
In a viral video that has been widely condemned on social media, the female presenter is seen handing what appears to be a gift-wrapped bat to Ramone Silvera, the man charged with assault at common law, disorderly conduct and indecent language, during an islandwide protest by taxi operators.
Silvera was caught on camera on November 14, verbally abusing passengers of a taxicab in an expletive-laden tirade while threatening them as he held a piece of board in his hand.
Since ZIP FM’s video took social media by storm, advertisers such as Digicel, have pulled advertisements from the radio station.
READ: Digicel pulls ads from ZIP FM over ‘Clown” stunt gone awry