It is astounding what some governments will do in the name of trying to make things "better." I've railed in this space many times about Bill C-11, which the feds say is about regulating CanCon on foreign streamers, but advocates warn is a free speech disaster in the making. 

But that pales in comparison to a new law from Jamaica that has stunned much of the world. The government there has banned all mentions of crime or immoral activity on TV and radio in the country. That means all TV shows - like, say, a detective drama - could not legally be shown on their television screens since it would be against the law. Gun use on screen is also gone, so say goodbye to a James Bond movie or almost anything else in that genre. 

Songs that mention drug use are also off limits. 

Scam artist plots are also on the no-no list. 

And even swear words are now banned, including fake curses designed to even hint at bad language. So much for cable programming.

The government says it's trying to clean up the country's image as "crime ridden." But producers and especially artists in the country are outraged, and ridiculing the new laws, which take effect immediately. 

Exactly what Jamaican TV and to a lesser extent radio are supposed to present now is baffling. That is most of every network's line-up in North America. It's one of the most draconian laws I can ever recall and I'd hate to be the P.D. of a station that has to adhere to these ridiculous rules.

I just hope the feds in Ottawa aren't paying attention. But I doubt even they would dare go this far!

Jamaica bans music and TV glorifying crime, illegal activity or swearing