WITH the increased crackdown on ‘inappropriate’ music videos by local stations, artists are crying foul.

This has also riled music video directors like Simeon Hedge who says the action threatens creativity.

GREEN… if an artist wants to make a song/video that they want to be aired or seen on our local television and cable stations, they should first learn the rules

“It takes away from the creativity of the video. It also is killing the film industry because it makes us (directors) tend to want to do some mediocre videos,” he said.

Hedge directed deejay QQ’s Ghetto Gyal and TOK’s Walk and Broad Out, both of which have been banned from local television stations.

“The stations are killing themselves as persons are not going to want to listen to local stations anymore … they are going to do it online. The viewership for local television is getting smaller as no one sits in front of their TV for hours anymore when they have the Internet,” said Hedge. Cordell Green, chairman of the Broadcasting Commission, defended his organisation’s guidelines on the appropriateness of music/videos for public consumption.

“If an artist wants to make a song/video that they want to be aired or seen on our local television and cable stations, they should first learn the rules and commission guidelines and the particular station that they want their music to be seen and heard on,” he said.

The Commission’s 2009 code suggests the pulling of all music/videos which relate to glorifying violence, rape, graphic sexual and problematic content.

“This is why an artist needs a proper manager, producers and editors as they will know the market they are targeting, whether it be local, United States or European, who all have different guidelines as it relates to media.”

Green pointed out that his organisation does not ban music/videos.

Simeon Hedge

Hedge claims there are double standards when it comes to dancehall videos.

“We are told that there should be no suggestive gyration of the body … they are even banning the wearing of certain clothing like leggings. On the other hand, we are seeing men dancing in leggings in certain TV programmes. I take it that very soon they will be banning the beauty pageants too because the women dress in skimpy bathing suits,” he said.

Johann Dawes is managing director of Hype TV which airs many local music videos. He says due to violations of the Broadcasting Commission’s code, his station has banned over 50 music videos since the start of the year.

“These videos contain sexual or violent scenes that are not fit for airplay. However, the entertainers know that they can promote them on the social media,” Dawes told the Observer.

Johann Dawes – HYPE TV

He believes cable stations have improved as it relates to monitoring the content of music videos.

“We are doing much better than before the Commission came into play. We are not where we used to be, but we are improving, and while we promote young and upcoming acts, we have guidelines to follow,” he said.

The Broadcasting Commission launched an aggressive campaign to rid local airwaves of explicit songs four years ago when it banned Romping Shop, a suggestive hit by deejays Vybz Kartel and Spice.

Their stance was roundly criticised in dancehall circles, but gained national support, mainly among the genre’s critics.