“Stop lock off the dance”: Burchell calls for overhaul of entertainment and creative economy framework

Opposition spokesperson on culture, creative industries and information Nekeisha Burchell is calling for an overhaul of regulations for the entertainment and creative industries.

She argued that Jamaica ccontinues to profit from its culture globally while suppressing many of the people who create it locally.

Speaking during her maiden sectoral debate contribution in parliament, Burchell said Jamaica must move beyond what she described as a regulatory culture centred on “locking off the dance” and instead develop modern systems that treat entertainment as a legitimate economic industry.

She argued that Jamaica’s marketed identity and its regulatory reality remain deeply contradictory, as the country aggressively promotes its music, culture and entertainment brand internationally, while local creatives continue to face barriers.

Pointing to the recent visit by international digital influencer Ishowspeed, Burchell said Jamaica demonstrated its ability to efficiently mobilise and showcase its culture on the global stage when there is international attention attached to it.

She argued that the same level of organisation, investment and institutional support must be extended to local creatives and entertainment stakeholders year-round.