The ‘What’s On Your Mind’ community call-in programme will return to the government’s radio station on Tuesday, 14 January, with a new set of guidelines in place.
According to a press release from ZJB Radio on 13 January, the show was suspended nearly two years ago, in March 2023, due to concerns over the legal risks posed by some callers’ opinions.
“To improve the standard of the show, several mechanisms will be introduced, along with administrative and operational arrangements that will help to uphold decent standards in broadcasting,” it explained.
Among the steps taken is a new set of guidelines to protect the callers and the audience, which have been published on ZJB Radio’s website here.
“Freedom of speech in a democratic society does not mean the freedom to say absolutely anything on the radio,” the document reads.
All callers are expected to speak within a framework and must not:
- Use profanity on the airwaves.
- Express opinions that are not based on accurate, factual information.
- Engage in personal attacks.
- Advocate violence or anything illegal.
- Speculate with regard to intentions as distinct from the words spoken or actions taken by public officials.
- Identify any children or other minors affected by an issue.
- Discuss any matter that is sub judice (an active court case) or likely to become a court matter.
- Quote from documents that may be confidential to which the caller is not entitled or not authorised to disclose the contents on-air.
- Treat all recognised religious beliefs and entities disrespectfully.
- Engage in lurid discussions about people’s personal lives including their own.
- Make comments that are not based on facts. Statements must be made in good faith without malice, on matters of public concern and not personal preference.
The guidelines say that if necessary, callers will be cut off if racially or ethnically insensitive or intolerant references are made, or if references are defamatory or can bring the radio station into disrepute.
The What’s On Your Mind Programme is committed to national development through the sharing of information, constructive dialogue and interaction through broadcasting.
The 14 January show will begin at 8.30am, and callers are invited to get in touch with views and comments at (644) 491-2885.
In September, 2024, man removed from a ZJB Radio show for sharing his views on the medicinal benefits of marijuana had his freedom of expression case quashed after a string of appeals.
Montserratian agricultural economist Claude Gerald argued that being barred from speaking on the topic on the station violated his constitutional rights. However, a series of courts disagreed.
