The music industry has become one of the most troubling forms of entertainment, former Speaker of the House and MP Nizam Mohammed has said.

He said radio stations promoted lewdness and vulgarity in music and called for the promotion of greater social cohesion and harmony among radio producers.

’Radio has been one of the most important technological developments in the country and should be used to expand a partnership with the church, schools, international communities, towns and village communities,’ Mohammed said.

Talk show host of the Radio Heritage morning programme Sunrise, he was speaking at a function held to celebrate the fourth anniversary of the San Fernando-based radio station on Sunday.

Mohammed said communications should not be allowed to create disharmony and inadequacy, but provide information, education, entertainment and encourage the highest standards of debate in the society.

Mohammed said music and songs that glorify intoxicants and arouse animal instincts should be avoided.

He noted that too many talk show hosts were uninformed and callers take their cue from presenters to malign and slander.

’Hatred and venom must not be allowed or encouraged. Instead, time and energy must be used to inspire and promote optimism among listeners,’ Mohammed said.

He said that standards must be set and followed as advertising revenue related significantly to the size of the listening audience.

’Society is getting addicted to bacchanal and radio presenters must make an effort to avoid spreading careless remarks and indulge in idle conversations,’ he said, adding that Radio Heritage faced a challenge in refraining from vulgar music and bacchanal.