Chuck urges JPs to combat misinformation
Published:Wednesday | May 22, 2024 | 12:12 AMTanesha Mundle/Staff Reporter
Justice Minister Delroy Chuck is calling on justices of the peace (JPs) to play a greater role in tackling misinformation in society.
Speaking on Saturday during a commissioning ceremony for 102 new justices of the peace (JPs) for St Andrew at Up Park Camp in Kingston, he noted that being a JP means being a part of the governance of the country, which requires those serving to continuously educate and inform themselves.
“One of the worst things you can do as a JP is to misinform and to mislead – and it happens. Because you are a JP, people look up to you for information and it’s better for you to say, ‘I don’t know’, rather than to mislead people.
“The country has social media misleading enough; don’t be a part of it. Please, if you can assist, try to straighten up a fair amount of the misinformation, lies, the propaganda that [is being] spread across our country,” he charged them.
Boasting that the country’s justice system is in “its best shape ever”, Chuck said, “ ... over the last many years, the judiciary has been working overtime to ensure that decisions are made in a timely manner.
“When you go to court now, you’ll see that there is efficiency and a certain amount of determination to have cases tried in a timely manner,” he told the JPs as he lauded those who have served for their role in improving the justice system.
“Because of justices of the peace, who have been beacons of information and justice across Jamaica, we have been able to say to Jamaicans, ‘You can access justice, you can get information if you just check a JP, who will guide you [or refer you to] a justice centre and we have 14 across Jamaica that you can get information,” Chuck said.
Additionally, he said Jamaicans can call 888-JUSTICE to get information or be routed to a legal aid attorney or alternative justice services.
CAUTIONED ON ROLES
In the meanwhile, he cautioned JPs and those aspiring to serve in the role not to see it as a position of status or something that can be used to “profile with” or show off.
“This is a voluntary work. Far too many justices of the peace or persons who are applying to become JPs believe this is a status – an opportunity to profile, an opportunity to be haughty,” he said.
The justice minister urged them to serve with respect, a sense of graciousness, civility and decency.
“You must enhance this vocation not bring it into disrepute,” Chuck urged the newly commissioned JPs.
Noting that there have been a few rogue JPs who have been charging for their services, the minister emphasised that the role of a JP is to help others, especially the less fortunate and the weak and vulnerable in society.
“It is for you to grow to be big and to help others, not for you to be seeking from others. So you must grow in your personal life so that you can assist,” he said.
He told the newly minted JPs that they should be among the Jamaicans who want better for the country and try to live a life of honesty.
Noting that JPs play a crucial role, Court of Appeal President Justice Patrick Brooks encouraged those newly sworn in to communicate effectively with their communities and embrace technology to enhance efficiency and fairness in the justice system.
He also urged them to continue to be honourable men and women.
“Despite all the negative things happening in our beautiful country, you remind us that good people still exist,” Justice Brooks said.