Jaiga Responds To TATT Advisory: Censorship Is Not Going To Stop Crime
The Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) has issued an advisory to broadcasters, urging them to exercise caution when airing music containing violent and sexually explicit lyrics.
According to Terrin Callendar, more widely known as Jaiga, that admonishment is at least fifteen years too late.
“There are no uncensored songs that play on Trinidad radio ever.”
During a recent interview with Your Caribbean Guide, the DJ/Entertainer, said that horse has long since left the stable.
“That horse out the stable so long.YouTube, iTunes, Spotify, the kids get their music somewhere else. They’re trying to focus on the Trinibad genre, I don’t speak much on those guys because they come from a place where they created something that they had no other choice to create; they were forced to do that.”
Passionate about the artform and creating spaces for the nation’s youth to be seen and heard, Jaiga believes TATT and other organisations like it seem to be out of touch and because of this, they continue to miss the mark.
You have to remember, when we did Soca Star we showed people themselves in a different light. The whole hype of Soca Star was when we were showing people themselves on television. When you look at the people who are moving the dial in Dancehall, this new guy who just came out, Raja, 18 years old! When you look at an 18 year old driving Porsche and Range and wearing jewelry and looking good and he is saying this is why I have this, and a 14-year-old is looking at them, they feel this is what they have to do to get it. They (TATT) have to understand that this is the issue. The issue is not censorship. We’ve been hearing bad words and bad things in music since before time, don’t come and try to cry to Bob Marley now because Bob Marley is current because of the movie. While Bob Marley was singing all them positive songs it had men singing all kinda craziness at the side.”
He told YCG that censorship is not going to stop crime.
“…I grew up listening to Sit down pon di mountain top my back my gun pon cock, I never pull no gun no way. You understand? If you’re talking sexually explicit content, look how much things Lady Saw told us that was rude but that doesn’t mean I’m going to violate a girl because Lady Saw say that, no. Again, people have to take ownership and responsibility and start taking accountability for themselves. As parents, as adults we have to do that. You can’t just in your ivory tower now and say ok we need to censor. Censorship is not going to stop crime! It’s not, it’s a stupid statement in itself because nowhere people play uncensored music. It’s already in the space, it’s already there, what you have to do is channel that energy in the youth. In primary schools you need to start sending more positive images…that is what the kids need to see that there is always an alternative.”
Having grown up in San Juan, Jaiga said he was exposed to the ‘worst of the worst” but was fortunate to also have positive influences he aspired to. This, he explained, is what Soca Star was for many others during that era.
“I try to give children things that they could aspire to. That is what Soca Star was, it was a moment for a child to aspire to something great. What they are seeing now in their face is the violence is cool. Once you normalise something and make it cool that’s the danger.”
In its statement which was disseminated earlier this week, TATT issued a reminder that the body is empowered by the Telecommunications Act and holds regulatory authority over the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors, with a mandate to ensure that content disseminated by radio and television stations aligns with the country’s values and standards.
Noting an increase in music with lyrics that promote violence, gang activity, the use of illicit drugs and sexually inappropriate behaviour, TATT reminded broadcasters of their responsibility to protect children from content that could have a negative impact on their behaviour.
“The Authority advises that content of this nature can have a negative impact on persons, particularly children and young persons and impressionable or vulnerable persons in society. The Authority therefore advises you to refrain from the broadcast of any such content which glorifies or promotes violence, encourages violent behaviour and/or glorifies or promotes the use of guns or other weapons and glorifies or promotes inappropriate sex behaviour and/or the use of illicit drugs.”
What do you think? Is the TATT advisory justified? Do you think violent and sexually explicit lyrics contribute to the crime situation?
