Following Zip FM’s recent decision to promote and gift a man who was seen berating passengers during an all-island taxi and bus strike, Digicel has indicated it will remove all advertising on the Jamaican radio platform for 30 days, effective immediately.

The announcement was made by the telecommunications provider today (November 17) in a post on its Twitter account.

“We care about Jamaica and want the best for our beautiful nation. Like many Jamaicans, we find ZIP FM’s recent actions unacceptable. We are therefore taking action by removing our advertising from the station for a period of 30 days, starting now,” the company tweeted.

We care about Jamaica and want the best for our beautiful nation. Like many Jamaicans, we find ZIP FM’s recent actions unacceptable. We are therefore taking action by removing our advertising from the station for a period of 30 days, starting now.

— Digicel Jamaica (@DIGICELJamaica) November 17, 2022

Taxi and coaster bus operators this week orchestrated a three-day strike that started on Monday (November 14) as they demanded that Government grant a ticket amnesty which would allow them to clear a backlog of traffic fines while avoiding prosecution.

Desperate to have all drivers united in the strike, some drivers who refused to participate saw their tires being slashed and or burned.

A viral video also began to circulate on social media in which a man, later identified as Ramone Silvera, was seen berating passengers in a taxi while holding a piece of board, and demanding that they exit the vehicle.

Silvera was arrested by police and charged with assault, disorderly conduct and indecent language.

After his release, Zip FM conducted an interview with Silvera in which he expressed remorse for his actions.

At the end of the interview, Silvera was gifted by the interviewer with what appeared to be a bat, which she told him not to use to harass other passengers, but instead to defend himself.

The actions taken by the interviewer on the radio station were seen as disrespectful and unacceptable by many on social media who, after watching the viral video of the interaction, blasted the station for making a mockery of a serious matter.

Ziphas since apologised for the gifting of the bat, but all has not been forgotten.

Reports are that at least five leading corporate brands have moved to pull advertisement from Zip, following the incident.

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