Time to unleash press watchdog
Published:Monday | July 8, 2013 | 12:00 AM
THE EDITOR, Sir:
The presentation in the Senate by de facto Information Minister Sandrea Falconer last week on a bill titled 'An Act to Repeal the Defamation Act and Libel and Slander Act', also known as the defamation bill, and her urging the media to establish their own self-regulatory body adds to the voices who are keen on these developments.
It's good to see that quite a bit of the work of the Prime Minister Bruce Golding-appointed committee, chaired by Ronald Hugh Small, which submitted its report in 2008, is coming to fruition.
The Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ), on the other hand, deserves commendation for introducing and ratifying a code of ethics to govern its valued profession. Nevertheless, with the coming changes, both the PAJ and the chieftains of media, the Media Association of Jamaica, should move quickly to get an effective, credible and impartial Press Complaints Council off the ground.
The press must have a naturally adversarial relationship with government, and politics in general; after all, a weak press will only benefit a small few.
But if you have an issue with a lawyer, you can bring the matter to the attention of the General Legal Council; for a medical doctor, the Medical Council of Jamaica; likewise, an issue with the police can be brought to the attention of the Police Civilian Oversight Authority.
This is precisely why an independent self-regulatory body which deals with complaints needs to be established. Many countries have done it, and accountability and responsibility on the part of journalists is strengthened while ensuring freedom of expression.
DELANO SEIVERIGHT