Jamaica's drop in press freedom index a wake up call for gov't, says PAJ

With a 16-place drop for Jamaica on the World Press Freedom Index since 2020, and a two-spot decline in the ranking since last year, the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) is urging the Government to take stock of its media policies and relations.

This year's index, released by Reporters Without Borders, ranked Jamaica 26th globally as far as press freedom on the island is concerned.

The PAJ said the ranking reflects a major structural weakness affecting press freedom in Jamaica, primarily the failure to update the Access to Information (ATI) Act.

The body is urging the government to expedite the tabling and debate of the revised ATI legislation; commit to reducing turnaround times on ATI requests; and equip all public authorities with the training and resources to comply.

The Government should also introduce sanctions for unjustified refusals or delays, it noted.

"The downward trend is a wake-up call that should not be ignored. This marks a two-place drop from last year’s position and continues a worrying downward trend," the PAJ said.

"The decline over the last five years underscores the urgent need for meaningful interventions to preserve the gains made and strengthen our commitment to press freedom," 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."

Referencing a recent Supreme Court ruling against the Gleaner in a defamation case, the PAJ underscored that: "It raises very serious concerns about how journalists will continue to benefit from legal protections that have long under-girded effective, timely, and responsible coverage of parliamentary proceedings. This move undermines the long-established legal defence of the principle of qualified privilege, which protects journalists who fairly and accurately report on matters discussed in Parliament," it charged, adding that the use of the court to sanction reportings sends a chilling message, and undermines the role of journalists as watchdogs of democracy.

"Beyond legislation, Jamaica must also guard against other pressures that compromise media independence. The concentration of media ownership, heavy reliance on advertising from state and private entities, and the rise of politically affiliated online voices can all distort the information landscape," continued the PAJ, adding also a call for greater transparency in state advertising allocation, support for independent journalism, and continued education on media literacy and press freedom."

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