Currently, there are three major stakeholders in the music industry: the producers (writers, entertainers, record labels); distributors (music stores, radio, TV, parties) and the listeners (you, me, your children, parents).

Now, across the board, you have listeners blaming the producers, saying that they should not be creating filth; producers blaming the distributors, saying that they only produce what they know the distributors will distribute; and the distributors blaming the listeners, saying that they only play what the listeners want to hear. This convoluted blame game leads us nowhere. No one is blaming himself.

The Broadcasting Commission, recognising itself as a major stakeholder and distributor, has apparently decided to accept some of the blame and take itself out of the equation.

Since Jamaican people don't buy music, the music stores (which shouldn't sell censored music to minors anyway) are not a major part of the problem.

Two left to blame

The Broadcasting Commission's censoring of the radio and TV airplay of such songs and videos leaves two groups in the blame game equation: the listeners and the producers. Personally, I think the listeners are to be blamed, especially the parents. They are responsible for their children, first and foremost. Slack songs will always be made and we can't get around that, but the fact is they should be listened to only when the time and place are right. Limiting their airplay will force a new level of creativity, which our music industry badly needs right now to get back to the high standards we once had.

It is a fact that the most successful Jamaican musicians in the world are not the dancehall artistes, but the reggae artistes who have positive messages to bring. Yes, censorship is rarely effective as stated in a letter published February 9, but at least one group has taken a stance and accepted some responsibility. It is time the rest of us step up and do the same.

I am, etc.,

KEVIN M. A. JACKSON

kevinjackson61@hotmail.com