FANS DEFEND RAGGA....

Kingsley 'Ragashanti' Stewart

Fans of Ragashanti have been voicing their disapproval since the Broadcasting Commission issued directives that Ragashanti Live be taken off air effective today.

Yesterday, the Broadcasting Commission sent out a release stating that the show, which is hosted by Dr Kingsley 'Ragashanti' Stewart and aired weekdays between 1 and 5 p.m, be removed from Nationwide News Network (NNN). Since then, fans of the host and regular listeners of the show have been expressing shock at the news.

"OMG wat am I going to listen to now? Yuh know how mi bruck my neck fi come from school jus fi listen 'Raga Show'. Mi feel it to mi heart," one listener said on the social networking website, Facebook.

"Uncle Raga, please don't be disheartened at the fact that they have succeeded to an extent. Uncle, this is your time to shine. Who God bless let no man put asunder. Uncle, I think you should do your mix-up an blenda shows dem every weekend now, maybe at Centerstage or sup'm," another added.

Others had suggestions of possible changes to the show.

"Uncle Raga, start streaming live over the Internet and publish a magazine each week with mix-ups that were called in from the previous week as well as those people will send in via whatever means. This way you can reach the masses," the comment said.

Some people said daytime radio will change drastically as a result. While others suggested protesting his removal. A page called 'Leave Ragashanti Alone' was also created yesterday and already has more than 1,200 fans.

Although there were some people who were disappointed, others rejoiced the news.

"I agree with booting Ragashanti, he needs to have a nighttime slot like Uncensored and Dear Pastor," one person said on Twitter.

Another said: "I dunno why Nationwide even took up Ragashanti on their station."

The release that was sent by the Broadcasting Commission yesterday said: "The Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica has directed the management of Nationwide News Network Limited to immediately discontinue transmission of the radio programme 'Ragashanti Live' in its current daytime slot, that is, effective Tuesday, March 15, 2011. The station has also been required to take the necessary steps to bring its programming into conformity with its public service broad- casting licence and the applicable broadcasting regulations."

It added that the commission issued the directive after receiving numerous public complaints over the last two months and following its own review of NNN's programming between February 7 and March 2. It also noted that NNN has been cited by the commission for at least 18 serious breaches of its licence and of the broadcasting regulations.

The release also stated that the host was found to regularly engage in and encourage callers to voice scandalous, derogatory and insulting remarks which, according to the regulations, should not be transmitted from any sound broadcasting facilities of radio licensees "at any time". In addition, it said that the programme was also found to be largely dedicated to explicit and detailed discussions by the host and by some callers of adult sexual activity and situations, unsuitable for unencrypted daytime listening, especially by children.

THE STAR tried to get in contact with Ragashanti but was unsuccessful. But on his show, while receiving support from his listeners yesterday, he said: "I don't want Nationwide Network to get into any trouble for me. I will be okay. A life! This nah guh be the end of me, and it will not be the end between me and them."

In addition, the management of NNN has since said it is seeking legal advice as it prepares to respond to a directive from the Broadcasting Commission.