The Barbados-based Caribbean Broadcasting Union ( CBU) on Friday said it was “deeply concerned” at what it termed the “unfounded mis and disinformation attacks on media professionals at member organisations” in Jamaica.
Last week, the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) called on Jamaicans to join it “in condemning this attack on press freedom” after expressing concern about claims by supporters of the two main political parties against media houses and journalists.
The PAJ said its concern surrounded claims made in a video circulating online that falsely accuse the chairman of the RJRGLEANER Group of directing editorial policy and links journalists at the Jamaica Gleaner to the People’s National Party (PNP).
“While we acknowledge the importance of free speech, we cannot tolerate misinformation that undermines the integrity of our profession. The PAJ reaffirms its commitment to promoting ethical journalism, media independence, and transparency,” it added.
Despite the PAJ’s statement, Everald Warmington, a legislator with the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), accused the RJRGLEANER Communications Group of having an agenda to tarnish the reputation of Prime Minister Andrew Holness.
CBU president Anthony Greene said his organisation, with membership in the Dutch, English, French and Spanish Caribbean, had taken note of the recent reports of public attacks on journalists and media managers in Jamaica.
He said the CBU, “which believes in and engages tirelessly in advocacy for freedom of information and freedom of the press”, had therefore found it necessary to issue a public statement on the matter.
“The CBU is deeply concerned at these unfounded mis and disinformation attacks
on media professionals at member organisation the RJRGLEANER Communications Group, as well as other media houses, apparently for political ends.”
Greene said that the CBU regards “this as a troubling development and notes the significant effect the incident has had on news professionals in Jamaica, as they seek to perform their public duties, including covering the leadup to national elections constitutionally due in 2025.
“Media professionals and values-driven media organisations are not immune from and do not seek to exempt themselves from fair comment and reasonable critique. However, these recent incidents have crossed into the field of personal attacks, apparently because of probing or critical coverage of matters which are clearly in the public interest.”
The CBU said that it was “wholeheartedly” expressing support “for professional journalism and for independence of the media in covering all aspects of society, including political issues”.
“And the CBU rejects partisan attacks on media practitioners, wherever they occur, since they can only serve to undermine one of the key pillars of democratic society and good governance, which is a fair and independent media sector,” Greene added.
(CMC)
