Crackdown on ‘bad wud’ music5 min read

Entertainers who curse during performances are being warned that more attention will be paid to profane or obscene language used by entertainers, including selectors at sessions.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Steve McGregor said changes are currently being made to the Towns and Communities Act, which is the law used by the police to prosecute people who use ‘bad words’.

“The present Town and Communities Act may include a few antiquated guidelines, but the new Service Act will be updated, fitting a modernised country,” said McGregor.

Under the current law, which was first passed in 1843, persons convicted of using profane, indecent or obscene language publicly can be fined up to $1,500 or imprisoned for up to one month.

Event permits contain a clause that states “any person who sings any profane or obscene song or ballad or use any profane, indecent language publicly is liable to prosecution”.

However, McGregor made it clear that, “we have no control of the use of indecent language in the music, but where it is used abusively during live performances it is not acceptable coming either from the performer or from the person playing it loudly”.

“Police officers have been vigilant with this, but it is from the social side that we have issues. What is sad is that the patrons at events come down on police for prosecuting entertainers for the wanton use of bad words. And because of how easily the public accept these breaches, it has not been an easy task for lawmen to enforce these laws,” said McGregor.