The Editor, Sir:

Your Letter of the Day by Mr. Ken Jones accusing the Jamaica Civil Service Association (JCSA) of being silent on the 'odious political outpourings' on the Contractor General highlights the challenge organisations like ours face in getting our message out to the public.

Short of paying media houses to carry advertorials and statements, civil society organisations like trade unions rely on the use of press and media releases to communicate their views and positions to the public on topical issues. However, it is the call of the respective news rooms on what is carried by them, which very often is determined by their own focus at a point in time.

The JCSA on October 13, 2006 issued a media release to all media houses (including The Gleaner) condemning the attacks on not only the Contractor General but on any public official who is prepared to join in the fight against corruption, a necessary element in ensuring open, transparent and accountable governance and government. Unfortunately only one (electronic) media house found it necessary to publish the release.

With the hope that you will find it possible to publish this letter, I reiterate the JCSA's condemnation of any action or attempt, real or perceived to vilify those public servants who are not only doing their jobs of seeking to prevent and report incidents of maladministration and corruption, but in effect are helping to protect the efficacy and integrity of our public administrative machinery, and indeed, our democracy.

The JCSA is certainly of the view that the integrity of the Jamaican public service is paramount in our democratic framework and remains unwavering in our support for the quest to protect its proud record of impartiality and independence and will continue to do whatever is necessary to achieve this.

I am, etc.,

WAYNE St. A. JONES

jacisera@cwjamaica.com

President