Campbell returns unopposed as PAJ boss

Managing Editor of The Gleaner Company, Jenni Campbell, was returned unopposed yesterday for a second term as president of the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ).

Campbell will be joined on the executive by returning members Milton Walker, Arthur Hall, Ceila Morgan and Rohan Powell.

The new members of the executive are Archibald Gordon of the RJR Group who has been elected first vice-president, Ingrid Brown of the Jamaica Observer who is the new secretary, Audley Boyd of The Gleaner who is a director, and attorney-at-law and media practitioner Helene Coley-Nicholson, who is also a director.

In her acceptance speech, Campbell vowed to do all she can to lift the image of the PAJ nationally and internationally.

"We stand firmly and will continue to do so in defence against any threat made against journalists to practise their trade without favour or interference," said Campbell.

"The financial welfare of our members is also critical to their ability to function effectively in their quest to preserve this democracy and the PAJ must take time to examine what can be done in this regard," added Campbell.

Press Complaints

She noted that the AGM has mandated the new executive to clearly articulate to the public that the PAJ has done all that it is able to do to establish a press complaints council to address concerns from members of the public. The PAJ has put in place a code of ethics to which its membership subscribes. The process towards a press complaints council has been stymied by the decision of the Media Association Jamaica Ltd not to support the move.

"The PAJ cannot establish this body without the full support of media owners and operators and the AGM has instructed that it should be made clear that we are not opposed to the establishment of a body to hear complaints from the public but that needs the support of the media owners," said Campbell.

The new executive will serve for two years.