Recent steps taken by the Broadcasting Commission to ban the airing of vulgar content from radio and television has stirred public debate. On the invitation of The Gleaner, readers sent in queries about the regulation of radio and television content for responses from the chairman of the Broadcasting Commission, Dr Hopeton Dunn. Below are the questions selected by The Gleaner and the accompanying responses from Dunn.

What about songs and videos that perpetrate the use of guns and violence? The latter is a huge cause of concern among many Jamaicans who feel they are also an attack on our society's morals and well-being.

Your remarks are absolutely correct and have been addressed in a directive dated February 20, 2009. That directive prohibits the transmission of any recording, live song or music video which promotes or glorifies the use of guns or other offensive weapons or promotes any offence against the person, such as rape, murder or mob violence or other offences, such as arson.

It seems as if the Broadcasting Commission has just awakened, better late than never. Have you taken a look at the advertisements on television? I believe they should be rated also? Some advertisements should only be aired in the middle of the night. I am tired of hearing that 'sex sells'.

Contrary to your claim and perception in some other quarters, the commission has been very active. This is the commission that has caused some station managers to dismiss or suspend some disc jockeys and that recommended the suspension of at least one licensee for grossly abusive and inappropriate broadcast content more than a year ago.

The commission is battling to preserve competition in the cable sector, but clearly, we still have a job to do in highlighting measures taken and in public exposure and education about our role and our actions. I encourage you to visit our website at www.broadcom.org and follow the link Reports and Publications, you will see the commission's complaints reports which document the several and varied issues that have been addressed but which have received very little exposure in the media or comment from the public.

appropriate audiences

On the matter of advertising, the commission is currently reviewing a few commercials that members of the public have complained about.

The Children's Code for Programming requires that advertisements be scheduled for appropriate audiences at suitable times. Certain advertisements would not be appropriate for general audiences, including children. In dealing