TWO OF the entertainment sector's big names have described last Friday's meeting with Prime Minister Bruce Golding and industry insiders at Jamaica House, as positive.

Deejay Tony Rebel and record producer Donovan Germain, who attended the meeting, told Tidbits Tuesday that there were enough positives for the parties to build on.

"He (Golding) told us that he did not want to stop the creativity of the country but it's his responsibility to uphold standards, and I agree with that," said Rebel.

Golding called the meeting last Tuesday, three days after the Broadcasting Commission declared a ban on songs or music videos with lewd or violent content.

Following the meeting, the prime minister said his administration is prepared to penalise channels (radio, television and cable stations) which violate the commission's regulations.

Standards

The Broadcasting Commission monitors standards for electronic media in Jamaica.

Its stance has not gone down well with dancehall's leading players who claim the genre is being singled out for censorship while other risqué events like carnival are ignored.

Germain, known for his work with Buju Banton and Beres Hammond, said the drive to sanitise the airwaves got the thumbs-up from a key member of the entertainment panel.

"We all agreed that many of the songs need to be cleaned up, and I think it was good that Spice supported that. She recommended that adult content should be played as of 11:00 p.m.," Germain said.

Spice and fellow deejay Vybz Kartel have been strongly condemned in conservative quarters for their raunchy hit song Rampin' Shop which has been banned from radio. The popular 'daggerin' songs have also been ruled not fit for airplay.

Information Minister Olivia Grange and Education Minister Andrew Holness were part of the government party at the meeting. Singers Bob Andy and Junior Kelly, poet/commentator Mutabaruka, deejays Queen Ifrica and RDX, and artiste managers Robert Livingston and Copeland Forbes, also attended.

Fit for airplay

Donovan Germain

Stir It Up (Bob Marley)

"I'll push the wood, Then I blaze ya fire; Then I'll satisfy your heart's desire..."

Feeling Horny (Fab Five)

The band enjoys itself on this one. Contains the clever line, "I don't want to live in Norfolk" (Virginia, that is).

Congo Man (Sparrow)

The legendary Calypsonian goes cannibal and plays double entendre ("I never eat a white meat yet") to the hilt.

Yuh Nuh Ready Fi Dis Yet (Tanya Stephens)

The feisty singer questions her man's romantic ("Have you ever wonder what mek a girl come") prowess.