RJR right to suspend Portia tracing ad

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

If the Gary Allen-led Radio Jamaica (RJR) Group had not suspended that distasteful television tracing commercial featuring Mrs Portia Simpson Miller, pending possible editing, we would have called for it ourselves.

And we cry shame on the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) advertising crew who seem to believe that pandering to the lowest common denominator is acceptable. In fact, we are disappointed because that same crew has produced some classy print ads that would have carried their message appropriately.

It may well be that the people who produced the ad are getting desperate. Many people have been commenting that the radio and television advertising campaigns of the two major political parties have fallen flat, lacking in excitement and imagination, and comparing them unfavourably to previous campaigns.

To be fair to the RJR Group, they have suspended commercials submitted by the People's National Party (PNP) as well, on the same basis that there were issues that needed adjustment to meet their broadcast standards. This approach applies equally to general ads and is nothing new.

But if it is believed that ads such as the Portia tracing commercial was the answer to this dearth of creativity, then the JLP has made a sad, very sad mistake.

Jamaicans have been clamouring for a new type of politics and wanting to put behind them the nasty, hurtful campaigning that ended up solidifying the ugly tribal divisions that have characterised our politics. This is borne out by the spontaneous celebration-like atmosphere that marked the recent Nomination Day activities, when supporters of the Opposition PNP and the ruling JLP -- clad in their party regalia -- danced, sang and mingled together without the customary fights and mayhem.

Naturally, the Portia ad would have been tempting and the JLP, unwisely, yielded to temptation. Indeed, the JLP ad script writers might want to argue that Mrs Simpson Miller did rant and rave from a party platform in 2007.

But they can't have it both ways. JLP leader Mr Andrew Holness, the undoubted trump card in the JLP's deck, has campaigned on the basis of a new politics, saying he represents the renewal that Jamaicans have been longing for. As the first post-Independence party leader, he has promised civility and decency and to take the high road.

That ad is inconsistent with that position and cannot stand. It may even suggest that the producers are hardly better than the thing they hope voters will abhor in the opposition leader.

The people will judge Mrs Simpson Miller as to her character, as they did in 2007. The JLP needs to have a little more faith in the good sense of the Jamaican voter.

POST A COMMENT

You must first register and then login to be able to post a comment.

HOUSE RULES

1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.

2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.

3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.

4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.

5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.

6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.

7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, and before commenting you need to register, conveniently, by clicking the link above.

COMMENTS (28)

1/1/2012

I love reading these articles beacuse they're short but informative.

joyce bennett
12/22/2011

if the PNP had the add it would be ok. you are bias. the words came out of Portia's mouth no one else's mouth.

Martin Rq
12/20/2011

I am confused by this editorial. Is the editor suggesting that a political party should be forclosed from using the words of a competitor against them? Ms. Simpson Miller did utter those words and she can't disavow them now. Suspending the ad was wrong and is also an infringement on free speech. I think the ad is designed to show that a person who conducts herself in that fashion publicly is unworthy of the position she seeks. I happen to agree with that sentiment.

Rush Pope
12/20/2011

I again write. The Observer is hypocritical. They are no better than G2K. And @Pierre ... go check the parliamentary records and you will see why she acted that way in parliament. See why she behaved that way when speaking about integrity. Bruce , Audley, Daryl, Desmond, Colin Virgo all trace and carry on as MEN!! And the PM has a serious problem with the truth telling ... the last being the stone throwing event that the Police know nothing of! I prefer loudness to mendacity any day!

Pierre Buckley
12/20/2011

I personally had no issues with the ad. What kind of democracy is this when you cant call out a political leader on her behaviour? The ad did not scandal her, her own actions did. It is a serious issue I have with PSM and why she can never get my vote. She reminds me too much of old politics, confrontational and controversial. It's the same problem I have with Audley Shaw. These people must realize that with power comes responsibility and that they should be models for the rest of society.

Alberto Alba
12/20/2011

Mr Franklyn you have done more damage to PSM than the advert itself. If you regard the advert as vulgar, then who is displaying the act of vulgarity? Is it G2K or Mrs PSM? Fact is Fact.

Kingpin Rude
12/20/2011

The editor is in fact is correct, but both campaigns are lacking and the basis of both ad campaigns are either degrading the other... G2k did nothing wrong, as the PNP or the patriots would love for a opportunity to degrade their opponent.

Luv Quest
12/20/2011

Someone’s attitude is a display of their character. It should be what you see is what you get. When the comrades classified JLP supporters as not being intelligent it is so funny ‘DWL’ that I somehow have hope in them making it in comedy. They are comedians who are in denial; I hope it helps them to feel better about themselves. I guess the more you can “trace” the more competent you are to lead JA. It’s already on YouTube; a shameful display of someone who aspire to lead Jamaica.

keswick hamilton
12/20/2011

she is the one who put herself in that light nobody but herself because everytime she opens her mouth its pure vulguraity and thats her she will never change so whoever is trying to twist it go groom her but i think she too ole now fi groom

Alberto Alba
12/20/2011

NONSENSE!!! In the past Busta was labelled as a dunce who couldnt spell bread, Mr Seaga as the don with big boots and cargo chain and PJ as the prophet in robe with staff in hand. Who quarrelled then? By her own actions Mrs PSM has lent herself to this type of labelling. Was it Mrs PSM in the adverts, or was it someone impersonating her. Facts are facts. If we dont see it in the adverts we will see it on the news during the campaign coverage.

Andrea Watson
12/20/2011

Sober piece but remember charity begins at home.When are you the EDITOR going to do your part and instead of pointing fingers at the G2K and saying in words DO the charitable thing and reign in Clovis?

monik mck
12/20/2011

If JLP thought that they are indeed a viable option then they would'nt have resort to "low Blows such as this. another example of insecurity is the attempt to confuse the voters of East Rural ST Andrew.So far NO one from the JLP has said anything about this blatant show of insecurity and disrespect for the constituents...but then again there was a DECOY Patrick Roberts running against the PM in the '02 elections.....nuff said.

ghost rider
12/20/2011

@Rudy Simons, how do you mean reign in Clovis? A cartoonist can be dumb and just be able to draw. it is management who tells him what he wants to be drawn in the to reflect the policy or the agenda of the newspaper.
Do you honestly believe that if Clovis did other than he is doing now, he would have a job tomorrow? At least not with the Observer.
This goes for the editor or whoever writes the editorial. That is why there are disclaimers in some newspapers
Poor Clovis. he just has a job.

christopher Isaacs
12/20/2011

It is close to the political season here in the US and even as it is basically the GOP primaries that is taking place, one would cringe at the types ads that are on TV. You are characterized by what you did or said in the past, no matter how distasteful. I am not aware of what this particular ad is about, however, if it was not contrived by the JLP then they should not be vilified or sanctioned. As someone rightly asked, "Was it factual"? Recall Observer, PNP did it to Seaga. Where were u then?

Jus Irie
12/20/2011

So when will the cartoonist adopt the prudent tone displayed by this editorial? Clovis' lack of class knows no bounds. I'm not a fan of PSM but seeing this cartoonist's daily attacks on her has only made me realise how far she has come in maintaining composure and decorum. Commentors like Oo k obviously missed the theme of the article. Some people will always think dirty politics is always the way to go. That ad made made to appeal the lowest common denominator indeed.

Rush Pope
12/20/2011

The outburst as portrayed in today's cartoon was in 2002 not 2007. The G2K has been arrogant, and rightly so as they follow their leaders. But G2K is 'six a one' and the 'Observer' half dozen of the other. So how could Observer the 'kettle' calling G2K the'pot' black? Further I am satisfied that AH is NOT new and different but rather just younger, more energetic and more of the same. The untruths he spouts have been a big turn off. The stone throwing incident appears to be the latest. Shame AH.

diehardr sickheads
12/20/2011

I am confused when mr seaga was being factually demonized and disrespected in the pass it was ok by the press and elements in the media. Even now people still hate the man without any true reason.Is it because it is a not woman. bulls---. respect is gender neutral . respect is gender neutral respect is gender neutral . if disrespect for men is promoted then that is a recipe to increase the crime rate .Jamaica popular promotes disrespect.

avid equin
12/20/2011

FACT: The video is NOT of Mrs Simpson Miller doing a "rant and rave from a party platform in 2007". The date-stamp from the video indicates that the clip was harvested from a 2002 frame.G2K originated a deliberate attempt to misinform by conflating and rehashing out of context 2002 material and creating a ruse that PSM behaved like that while she was occupying the post of PM in order to claim she was not fit to be PM. It worked on you Ed; consider the rest of Jamaica. G2K do better if you can !

0o k
12/20/2011

Wasn't the Ad factual?
New politics does not mean you can run a Ad Campaign devoid of the facts. If you cannot tell the truth about your opponent what are we left with?
I think it pretty tame myself. They should have captured and used the nightmare-rant by the Comrade Leader after the 2007 Elections.

C Gordon
12/20/2011

Mr. Editor, I almost believed your sincerity until I read the last paragraph in the editorial, coupled with Clovis cartoon. Note how many awards the Observer won for good journalism over your competitor. Let that be a lesson, your newspaper is spreading what you are making a claim of denouncing.

Justin Wright
12/20/2011

Indeed this was the JLP not doing themselves any favor. The Jamaican voters on the side of the JLP have lived up to their name, as being the set of Jamaicans with little or no intelligence. Credible evidence is accepting this PM by default without knowing or asking for a plan to take them out of poverty. The PNP offered something, non-the-less, the JLP got scared by going dirty, cannot trust the new/old leader. Hence the name BABY BRUCE has lived up to the expectation. His action said it all.

Mahoney Campbell
12/20/2011

The words you used determine who you are, who you are determine your future, your future determine your destiny. Don’t hind the truth.

avid equin
12/20/2011

Great sober patriotic editorial. Ironically I think the PNP is benefiting from these negative ads for exactly the reason you pointed out. If a one is fed crap one will survive but when fed fine quality food one thrives exponentially and tremendously. Jamaicans demand more and better everytime. Everybody should stop feeding us this diet of crap. The $64 million question however is who will reign in Clovis. Today he is doing EXACTLY what G2K is doing. Will you call him in yourself or should RJR

Robert Gray
12/20/2011

I love the tone of this editorial. It is pretty much very fair-and-balanced. Besides Mr. Holness, Babsy Grange, Dr.Chang, Pernel Charles and Dr.Baugh, where are the other affable, fair-minded, humble, intelligent and "non- arrogant' members of the Jamaica Labour Party? I miss Kingsley Sangster, Mavis Gilmore and Ryan Peralto. These were decent Labourites!

Nadine Johnson
12/20/2011

Well said Mr Editor, full time the G2k go find work to do they just letting Jamaicans hating them more and more . i hope the radio station pull it also find good Ads. The first clip was done in 02.

carlos king
12/20/2011

Dear Mr. Editor, Sir. To be fair to you, your editorials of late are helping to reduce the political tension. But in order not to be seen as hypocritical, you also need to apologize to Mrs. Simpson Miller. Because whether she is demonized electronically or in editorially print and cartoon, she is being demonized non-the-less. These kinds of vulgar attack on PSM will backfire. It did not work in 2007 and it will similarly fail in 2011. And I would not be surprised if she gains some sympathy vote.

Rudy Simons
12/20/2011

maybe Mr Edtor you could start with your own cartoonist a talented artist who has become now boring with his one sided portrayal of Portia and the PNP

ghost rider
12/20/2011

So if we see the people dancing in the streets together as you acknowledge, how come we are hearing about PNP attacking JLP. Why can't we see these pictures?
And when were these PNP ads refused by the TV stations?. I think it would be foolhardy of anybody to attack these massive crowds that the JLP always has in tow. And why can't they be caught?
And how come you didn't mention that these videos were enhanced?
If you believe in women so much how come your cartoons are like the one today?

Do/Would you disclose details of your salary with your spouse?
	Yes
	No

View Results
Results published weekly in Sunday Finance

Username:
Password:

Water woes to affect sections of St Catherine and the Corporate Area

RJR right to suspend Portia tracing ad