Media urges caution in criticism of practitioners

KINGSTON (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.

Intimidation concerns

"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."