Nekeisha Burchell | Silent conscience: crisis of accountability in Jamaica

There was a time when Jamaica’s moral compass was safeguarded by an active and fearless civil society, a robust and independent media, and public watchdogs that held leaders accountable. These groups, whether journalists, advocacy organisations, or independent commissions, stood as guardians of democracy, ensuring government transparency and fairness.

But today, something is dangerously different.

Those who should be speaking the loudest have fallen silent. Those with a duty to question authority and demand accountability are retreating, whether by force or by fear.

The media, under pressure from lawsuits, corporate interests, and the influence of the moneyed class, seems to be pulling back from its responsibility to shine light into dark corners. Civil society organisations, faced with intimidation and outright aggression from the State, now battle just to exist let alone advocate for justice.

When these pillars of democracy weaken, the public is left vulnerable, uninformed, misled, and unable to hold leaders accountable.

MEDIA LANDSCAPE BOUGHT AND PAID FOR

A free press is not a privilege; it is a responsibility. When the media fails to challenge power, when it prioritises access over accountability, it ceases to be a watchdog and becomes a mouthpiece.

I have observed an alarming trend in the way the Jamaican Government controls narratives through paid media rather than allowing the independent press to do its job.

A significant portion of taxpayer money is being funnelled into paid advertisements and media placements, crafting an image of governance rather than allowing independent journalism to assess its effectiveness. Practically every other time signal on radio is now sponsored by a ministry, department, or agency. The simplest government projects, initiatives that should speak for themselves based on impact, are not covered through earned media but through taxpayer-funded publicity campaigns.

This redirection of public funds away from actual service delivery into relentless self-promotion is a deliberate effort to control public perception rather than inform public discourse.

Even the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), historically tasked with informing the public on government operations, has been subordinated to political handlers and public relations consultants. What should be an independent source of factual government information has been hijacked and converted into a platform for partisan messaging.

A democracy where journalism is dictated by those in power is a democracy in decline.

INTEGRITY COMMISSION UNDER ATTACK

One of the most dangerous signs of democratic backsliding is when governments attack their own accountability mechanisms.

The Integrity Commission, an institution established to ensure transparency in governance, has been subjected to state-sponsored attacks, misinformation, and public discrediting. Despite being appointed under the very administration now waging war against it, the commission’s pursuit of truth and accountability has been met with smear campaigns and outright hostility.

Rather than addressing legitimate concerns about corruption and self-enrichment, Prime Minister Andrew Holness and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) have chosen to undermine the institution itself, eroding public trust in oversight bodies.

And yet, where is the media? Where is civil society? Why are those who should be standing alongside the Integrity Commission in defence of accountability instead treating it as a political matter rather than a democratic necessity?

This is not just about one government or one party. It is about whether Jamaica will allow any administration, present or future, to operate without scrutiny.

The public sphere must rise to its responsibility: to challenge these attacks, demand transparency, and resist any effort to weaken our institutions.

MEDIA’S ROLE IN NATIONAL SECURITY DISCUSSIONS

A responsible media and active civil society must also ensure that the public receives honest, balanced, and data-driven information on national security.

Crime in Jamaica is a national crisis, spanning high gang violence, domestic and gender-based violence, violence against children. Separately, we must account for the dramatic rise in police fatal shootings. These are complex issues that require transparency, not political spin.

It is the role of the media and civil society to ensure that the public is not only informed about crime rates but also understands how the state is responding. Is the government being strategic and data-driven in crime-fighting efforts, or is it relying on performative, fear-driven narratives?

Transparency in national security is not an attack on the police. It is about ensuring trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. And it is the job of the media and civil society to foster that trust by ensuring honest conversations about crime-fighting efforts, the realities on the ground, and the impact on communities.

GUARD AGAINST BIAS

The responsibility of the media extends beyond just reporting, it must also hold itself accountable.

One of the greatest threats to press credibility is perceived bias. In recent times, we have seen clear disparities in the coverage of political events, with similar initiatives receiving unequal attention depending on the party involved.

Media institutions must be brave enough to call out their own when journalism fails to meet professional standards. If media houses do not actively regulate their credibility, they risk becoming propaganda arms rather than trusted institutions.

A press that allows bias to seep into its coverage weakens itself in the long run. It not only damages public trust but also gives those in power an excuse to dismiss legitimate journalism as politically motivated.

Press freedom requires internal accountability.

FINANCIAL PRESSURES ON TRADITIONAL MEDIA

With traditional media outlets losing significant revenue to free-access digital platforms, some entities may see political alignment as a survival strategy. But this is short-term thinking.

Political parties come and go. Governments change. Media entities that tie themselves too closely to any single political group risk long-term credibility loss.

People may go to TikTok, Instagram, or Twitter for viral content, but when they need trusted, rigorous, and fact-based reporting, they turn to established media houses. That is why professional journalism must resist the temptation of political patronage and instead double down on integrity, credibility, and transparency.

This is not just about ethics, it is about long-term business survival. The press must not become a player in politics. Its role is to be a guardian of democracy, a counterbalance to power, and a platform for truth.

DEFENDING DEMOCRACY

Jamaicans cannot afford to be passive observers in the dismantling of our democracy.

We must demand better from our leaders, the media, and civil society organisations. We must push back against efforts to silence dissent and challenge narratives that prioritise politics over people.

As the German philosopher Jürgen Habermas argued, a strong democracy relies on a vibrant public sphere, where citizens, institutions, and the media engage in open and critical debate. When this space is compromised, whether by political interference, financial constraints, or fear, the very fabric of democracy begins to unravel.

Will we allow political self-interest to dictate the national conversation, or will we insist on a Jamaica where governance is transparent, media is independent, and institutions remain strong?

The survival of our democracy depends on how we answer that question.

Nekeisha Burchell is People’s National Party member of parliament caretaker for South St James and opposition spokesperson on information. Send feedback to pnppresssecretariat@gmail.com.