Gov't condemns threats against TVJ journalist Giovanni Dennis

The Government says it "strongly condemns" the recent threats made against Television Jamaica (TVJ) journalist Giovanni Dennis over his report on illegal drag racing in Jamaica. 

Part one of Dennis' report was aired on Sunday during TVJ's Prime Time News. 

The Government says acts of intimidation and threats to use violence "are reprehensible and are in fact an attack on press freedom and Jamaica's democracy at large". 

"Journalists play a crucial role in our society by informing the public, holding officials to account, and contributing to the transparent functioning of our institutions. Any attempt to intimidate or threaten journalists is an affront to these values and must not be tolerated," noted a statement today from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).

It said the Holness administration is committed to ensuring that journalists can perform their duties without fear of harassment, threats, or violence.

Information Minister Dr Dana Morris Dixon expressed outrage at the reports. 

“Violence and the threat of violence have no place in Jamaica. The freedom of the press is a cornerstone of our democracy as well as our social and economic development agenda. We stand with Giovanni Dennis and all journalists in condemning attacks on the media. The Government will continue to uphold and protect the rights and freedoms of the press," she said.

The OPM statement said the security forces are investigating these threats and will take all the actions to bring those responsible to justice.

Meanwhile, the Media Association of Jamaica Limited has also condemned the threats against Dennis, saying the entity has "grave concerns about a sustained wave of threats in the social media space". 

"We see these actions as an attack on the heart of press freedom and are not to be taken lightly. In this regard we join the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) in calling on the authorities to address this issue with speed," said the group that represents media owners. 

It added, "this is also an opportunity for the authorities to establish that any form of cyber bullying and or cyber intimidation are acts which are not acceptable in our evolving digital communication-based society. ....Many of the threats directed at the journalist in the social media space are brazen and suggest that there is little fear or concern about consequences". 

The Press Association of Jamaica expressed alarm at the situation in a statement earlier Wednesday. 

"The PAJ condemns the response to the story and views it as an attack on press freedom. Journalists/ reporters must be allowed to do their work free from fear and intimidation from whatever source," the PAJ said. 

The Press Association of Jamaica says the matter has been reported to the police and escalated to its Cyber Crimes Unit. 

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