The ground rules governing Cayman Islands radio stations are being reviewed, including those relating to advertising of tobacco and alcohol products.
The Information and Communications Technology Authority and local FM radio licensees have formed a working group to review issues affecting the industry.
Advertising tobacco products is currently prohibited across all media. Alcohol products can be named in print, but any product placement is banned from broadcast.
“The industry has expressed its desire to address these areas and to create a set of guidelines or rules for all FM broadcasters,” said the managing director of the Information and Communications Technology Authority, Alee Fa’amoe. “The industry is looking for a clear set of guidelines and the Authority is happy to assist the industry in this regard,”
He added, “It is not a certainty that any changes will be made, only that a clearer understanding of applicable laws and the creation of industry guidelines is desired by the industry.”
Bob Rees of Paramount Media said radio stations face an uneven playing field, suffering tighter advertising restrictions than television and print media.
“I think all the radio stations would want to be treated with the same restrictions as print and television. All the radio stations have lost significant revenue because of the restrictions,” Mr. Rees said.
“Either bring down TV and print, or give radio the same rights. Radio has the most access points and yet we are most restricted.”
In its first meeting, the working group established 11 areas that need improvement, including the consideration of advertisements for tobacco and alcoholic products. Focus is also on the introduction of healthcare services advertisements and a review of FM radio broadcasting on the Sister Islands.
The meeting, held with the islands’ 17 radio licensees, also covered industry changes to musical content and technical specifications for licensees, ahead of this year’s license renewals.
Mr. Fa’amoe said the group prioritized issues that would be addressed within 90 days, while issues that need more time for consideration had a targeted resolution time of 120 days.
“These proposed milestones will enable the Authority to renew all FM radio broadcast licenseswithin a reasonable timeframe, with a consistent set of license obligations across all licensees,” he said.
He said the group hopes to “regularize and standardize FM licenses, while establishing rules to govern the industry.”
Licensees also expressed concern about the number of radio station licenses. Two additional radio license applications are pending.
“The playing field is getting quite crowded, I will admit,” Mr. Fa’amoe said. Dan Charleston of DMS Broadcasting said the “economics will decide who succeeds.”
Paramount Media CEO Kenny Rankin said there is a need for contingency plans in case of tower failures, especially during hurricanes or other crises.
Rooster FM station owner Randy Merren identified a need to ensure the even dissemination of official communications during a crisis. Mr. Fa’amore said ICTA has a crisis management plan but some details need to be refined.
The Sister Islands are also being addressed in the review. “There is also a need to provide Cayman Brac and Little Cayman with a number of FM radio stations, but this requirement should not be burdensome on the licensees,” Mr. Fa’amoe said.
ICTA also plans to establish a separate working group to address inspections of the 74 radio towers in Cayman, network resilience and other areas across the industry.
Mr. Fa’amoe said a working group had already been developed to address industry standards with respect to light pole attachments by ICT licensees.
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