Warmington hints at media shutout from CDF sittings

Edmond Campbell, Senior Staff Reporter

IN A threat against the media, chairman of the select committee examining expenditure relating to the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), Everald Warmington, yesterday told his colleagues that they could bring a resolution and again shut out the press from covering its sittings.

This comment came after the chairman launched a verbal attack on the local media which was covering, for the first time, the spending of more than $1 billion of taxpayers' money annually by members of parliament in the island's 60 constituencies.

Since June 2008, the committee had been meeting behind closed doors as it deliberated on $1.2 billion set aside for CDF projects.

Describing media reports about the CDF as "gutterism", Warmington went on the offensive, delivering an acerbic broadside against the press.

His comments were supported by member of parliament for Eastern St Andrew, St Aubyn Bartlett.

Singling out The Gleaner for its reports on the CDF, the chairman accused the media entity of having an agenda.

Despite holding meetings behind closed doors since its establishment more than two years ago, Government MP Andrew Gallimore took the media to task for not reporting on the projects which benefited constituents.

Paj response

In a quick response, president of the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ), Jenni Campbell, said: "I have noted Mr Warmington's comments regarding the media and especially a particular media entity. I have asked the Press Association of Jamaica's Advisory Council to urgently review this matter."

Campbell, The Gleaner's managing editor, added that "Any attempt to prevent the press from carrying out its duties or to block transparency in conducting the business of the people of Jamaica should not be tolerated at any level."