According to the Minister of Culture, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, the time has come to review the ‘bad word law.’ But she thinks entertainers should avoid using profanity on stage.
Under the Archaic Towns and Communities Act of 1843, it is illegal for any person to use any profane, indecent, or obscene language. And any person convicted of these offenses can be fined up to $1,500 or get imprisoned for up to 30 days.
Speaking to THE STAR on the subject, Minister Grange said:
“I think it’s time to review those laws, but at the same time, I think that we are creative enough that we don’t have to go on stage and swear.”
“And so I want to encourage the industry not to go there. It’s unnecessary. We’re not short of lyrics, so we don’t have to use profanity.”
Culture Minister, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange
During the 2023 staging of Reggae Sumfest, the police forced Dancehall artiste Bayka to cut his performance prematurely after he used profanity on stage. They charged the entertainer, whose given name is Ronaldo Billings, with breaches of the 179-year-old Towns and Communities Act.
St James police commander Senior Superintendent of Police Vernon Ellis later commented:
“If you came to Sumfest to break the law, you must come prepared to face the consequences.”
Vernon Ellis
“So if you come to Sumfest to curse bad words, bring your toothbrush and all the other necessaries because you are going to spend some time in jail,” Ellis said.
Vernon Ellis
In her conversation with THE STAR, Minister Grange noted that some people have argued that it is “a matter of opinion what is profane and what is a bad word.”
However, she argued that until and unless the law changes, entertainers must deliver exciting and clean content to the audience.