KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The International Press Institute (IPI) says it has endorsed a letter to Prime Minister Andrew Holness from the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) calling on his Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) to exercise restraint in its criticism of media workers covering the December 29 general election.
PAJ President Jenni Campbell had earlier written to Prime Minister Holness in response to what she characterised as negative comments and veiled threats made against media workers at public JLP meetings that put their lives at risk.
“We are concerned about any intimidation of journalists, particularly during an election. Journalists play a vital role in ensuring that members of the public are adequately informed before they cast their ballots,” said IPI Executive Director Alison Bethel McKenzie.
“We urge all political parties to act in a responsible manner and to avoid any sort of rhetoric or actions that could lead to violence against journalists or any other infringement of the public’s right to know,” she added.
The PAJ, in its letter to Prime Minister Holness, said it has taken “note of the negative public utterances from your political platform against journalists and the veiled threats against media workers by your supporters at public meetings.
“The PAJ is aware of instances in the not too distant past where platform comments have resulted in attacks on journalists.
While we respect the right of every individual to criticise the media, the vitriol that has come from the Jamaica Labour Party platform in Portland and Manchester is unacceptable and has put media workers at risk as they perform a legitimate and necessary function of providing the public with information.
“We wish to state clearly that should this pattern continue or if a single journalist is attacked the PAJ will swiftly seek the assistance of its regional and international partners including the International Press Institute, the International Federation of Journalists, the Inter-American Press Association and the Association of Caribbean Media Workers to ensure that your administration is reminded of Jamaica’s enviable record of press freedom and the sanctions which can be brought against a government which threatens the safety of media workers.”
The Jamaica Gleaner newspaper reported Wednesday that Prime Minister Holness has responded to the letter by saying that his administration supports democracy and freedom of speech.
Addressing the Private Sector Association of Jamaica (PSOJ) Christmas lunch, he said that the Government was not against the work of the media, but only sought balance and fairness.
“I am noticing that there is a little bit of agitation in the press and I want to say here publicly that this Government believes in freedom of the press, safety of the press. We also believe in transparency, and we believe in balance in reporting.”
The IPI endorsement of the PAJ’s letter came as McKenzie and an IPI delegation, including its Press Freedom Adviser Steven M. Ellis, ended a three-day visit here.
The delegation had been here promoting the IPI’s Annual World Congress to be held in Trinidad and Tobago in June next year.
