BBA issues caution to broadcasters

The Barbados Broadcasting Authority (BBA) has written broadcasters, drawing their attention to Section 5 of the Broadcasting Regulations, 2000, which prohibits certain types of advertising.

 

In its correspondence, the government regulator said it “notes with concern a trend in which some licensees are advertising certain products and services contrary to the Broadcasting Regulations, 2000.”

 

Specific reference was made to commercials promoting:

Certain alternative health-care products which purport to offer cures for certain ailments without providing scientific evidence from a competent authority as confirmation.

Certain services which purport to offer solutions to personal problems such as bad luck, evil spirits, relationship issues with boyfriends, girlfriends, husbands or wives, financial challenges, etc.

Regulation 5, (e) and (i), respectively, prohibits the broadcast of:

“any advertising matter which the licensee knows or has reasonable cause to believe to contain any false or deceptive statement.”

“any programme presenting, promoting, advocating or endorsing a person, group or institution who claims, for the purpose of or during the programme, supernatural or psychic powers or the ability to foretell the future or to analyse the character of any person by supernatural or psychic means.”

 

Placing a disclaimer before, during, or after the broadcast of such matter does not absolve the licensee of the requirement to comply with the above-cited regulations. The BBA advised broadcasters to be guided accordingly.

 

Under Section 12 of the Broadcasting Act, any person who contravenes any of the Broadcasting Regulations is guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine of $5,000, imprisonment for 12 months or both.