(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 9 November 2006 FMM press release: FM radio banned, without prior warning The Free Media Movement (FMM) expresses serious concern over the government’s banning of Raja FM, a radio channel of the AEP radio and television network, based on an allegation of “indecency” by the Department of Information. The […]
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 9 November 2006 FMM press release:
FM radio banned, without prior warning
The Free Media Movement (FMM) expresses serious concern over the government’s banning of Raja FM, a radio channel of the AEP radio and television network, based on an allegation of “indecency” by the Department of Information. The suspension order also warns that all the network’s radio channels may eventually be banned.
Two weeks prior, an e-mail campaign was launched by extreme nationalist forces against Raja FM on the same grounds.
Although discussions on sexual issues in question and answer format are part of current media practice, FMM is of the opinion that people’s private sexual lives should not be discussed openly in the media.
There is definite public interest in programming on sexuality in the form of entertainment, education and counseling. But using this interest as an excuse to propagate indecent content for sheer commercial reasons violates the social responsibility of the media.
FMM does not condone such media behaviour and urges all radio stations to seriously reconsider such programming.
However, instead of banning Raja FM for broadcasting such content, the government should have followed due process to determine more appropriate remedial steps. Banning a channel without any consultation or warning creates a dangerous precedent for banning any broadcast channel or station on any grounds, such as national security or defamation.
FMM is afraid that in the current situation, with the media facing various forms of unofficial censorship, this ban could be interpreted by the media as another indicator that they must toe the government line on critical issues.
Considering all sides of this issue, FMM urges the government to conduct a proper, transparent inquiry into the allegation against Raja FM and to resolve the issue through consultation and discussion within a democratic framework.
