Jean Lowrie-Chin
We used to brag that Jamaica usually placed in the top 10 for press freedom. This week we were relegated to 26th position, the lowest I can recall, by Reporters Without Borders (RSF – Reporters sans frontières). However, to be 26th of 180 states is no shame; the only Caribbean country ahead of us is Trinidad and Tobago at 19th and many developed countries are behind us. Check https://rsf.org/en/index for some interesting ratings.
The Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) has described our slippage as “a wake-up call”. It noted: “The RSF report highlights a troubling erosion in the relationship between the media and public institutions, especially the state. It cites growing mistrust, limited transparency, and increased economic vulnerability among newsrooms. These trends threaten to undermine public interest journalism and democratic accountability.” I should declare here that I am one of three trustees of the PAJ, serving with Laura Tanna and Franklin McKnight.We used to brag that Jamaica usually placed in the top 10 for press freedom. This week we were relegated to 26th position, the lowest I can recall, by Reporters Without Borders (RSF – Reporters sans frontières). However, to be 26th of 180 states is no shame; the only Caribbean country ahead of us is Trinidad and Tobago at 19th and many developed countries are behind us. Check https://rsf.org/en/index for some interesting ratings.
The Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) has described our slippage as “a wake-up call”. It noted: “The RSF report highlights a troubling erosion in the relationship between the media and public institutions, especially the state. It cites growing mistrust, limited transparency, and increased economic vulnerability among newsrooms. These trends threaten to undermine public interest journalism and democratic accountability.” I should declare here that I am one of three trustees of the PAJ, serving with Laura Tanna and Franklin McKnight. We used to brag that Jamaica usually placed in the top 10 for press freedom. This week we were relegated to 26th position, the lowest I can recall, by Reporters Without Borders (RSF – Reporters sans frontières). However, to be 26th of 180 states is no shame; the only Caribbean country ahead of us is Trinidad and Tobago at 19th and many developed countries are behind us. Check https://rsf.org/en/index for some interesting ratings.
The Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) has described our slippage as “a wake-up call”. It noted: “The RSF report highlights a troubling erosion in the relationship between the media and public institutions, especially the state. It cites growing mistrust, limited transparency, and increased economic vulnerability among newsrooms. These trends threaten to undermine public interest journalism and democratic accountability.” I should declare here that I am one of three trustees of the PAJ, serving with Laura Tanna and Franklin McKnight We used to brag that Jamaica usually placed in the top 10 for press freedom. This week we were relegated to 26th position, the lowest I can recall, by Reporters Without Borders (RSF – Reporters sans frontières). However, to be 26th of 180 states is no shame; the only Caribbean country ahead of us is Trinidad and Tobago at 19th and many developed countries are behind us. Check https://rsf.org/en/index for some interesting ratings.
The Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) has described our slippage as “a wake-up call”. It noted: “The RSF report highlights a troubling erosion in the relationship between the media and public institutions, especially the state. It cites growing mistrust, limited transparency, and increased economic vulnerability among newsrooms. These trends threaten to undermine public interest journalism and democratic accountability.” I should declare here that I am one of three trustees of the PAJ, serving with Laura Tanna and Franklin McKnight
We used to brag that Jamaica usually placed in the top 10 for press freedom. This week we were relegated to 26th position, the lowest I can recall, by Reporters Without Borders (RSF – Reporters sans frontières). However, to be 26th of 180 states is no shame; the only Caribbean country ahead of us is Trinidad and Tobago at 19th and many developed countries are behind us. Check https://rsf.org/en/index for some interesting ratings.
The Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) has described our slippage as “a wake-up call”. It noted: “The RSF report highlights a troubling erosion in the relationship between the media and public institutions, especially the state. It cites growing mistrust, limited transparency, and increased economic vulnerability among newsrooms. These trends threaten to undermine public interest journalism and democratic accountability.” I should declare here that I am one of three trustees of the PAJ, serving with Laura Tanna and Franklin McKnight.
They are concerned about the delays in revisions to the Access to Information Act (ATI) and are recommending:
• Expedite the tabling and debate of the revised ATI legislation Commit to reducing turnaround times on ATI requests
• Equip all public authorities with the training and resources to comply
• Introduce sanctions for unjustified refusals or delays.
The Press Association’s motto is “A Free Press – the Oxygen of Democracy”. It is a strong reminder of the importance of this, our Fourth Estate.
Jamaica Highlights 