Jamaica moves down in World Press Freedom Index

Jamaica has moved down five places in the World Press Freedom Index.

The France-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has ranked Jamaica 12th out of 180 countries, down from seventh in 2021.

Norway is ranked first and North Korea is 180th.

The RSF indicated that in the past one to two decades, freedom of the press has continued to improve in Jamaica and the right to information is widely respected.

The country, it said, thus continues to rank among the safest in the world for journalists. 

Here are more highlights on Jamaica:

Media landscape

Broadcast media are commercial and convey a variety of viewpoints, and the country's main newspapers – Jamaica Gleaner, Jamaica Star and Jamaica Observer – are privately owned. The government has no stake in the vast majority of local media and Jamaica remains very well positioned in terms of content independence.

Political context

Although Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has praised the country's press freedom record and repeatedly stated his commitment to uphold it, he has also previously suggested that journalists do not have to stick to the facts or truth and that a free press enables journalists to “take whatever stance they want”.   

Legal framework

Jamaican officials drew criticism at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic when government restrictions were seen as hampering the work of journalists at a time when there was a strong need for reliable information. The Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ), along with editors and executives from the country's major media outlets, called for the Prime Minister to rescind public lockdown orders that prevented TV and radio presenters, reporters, camera operators, technicians and other media professionals from moving around freely.

Economic context

The private media sector has experienced significant growth due to the development of trade in a growing local economy, which has created an advertising market.

Sociocultural context

The Jamaican free press often openly criticises officials, and journalists have occasionally reported intimidation while doing their work, particularly ahead of an election.

Safety

Although physical attacks are rare and no act of violence has been committed against a journalist in the last 10 years, reporters must measure the threat posed to them by the country's high crime rate when they are investigating a sensitive subject.

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