Gov't condemns attacks on journalists

Information Minister Dr Dana Morris Dixon today condemned recent attacks on Jamaican journalists, explaining that her silence on the issue was due to not being asked earlier.

"You have been deadly silent despite people calling media houses politically aligned and naming journalists as being linked to parties. Why no comment from you, Minister?" asked senior journalist Arthur Hall, an editor at the Jamaica Observer, during Wednesday's post-Cabinet press briefing. 

Morris Dixon replied, "No, well, you haven't asked me. So, here I am now, you've asked me." 

She went on to emphasise that the  administration of Prime Minister Andrew Holness "is very much committed to press freedom" and that "everything we have done has demonstrated that."

 "...attacks on the media, that is never, ever acceptable at all. Never acceptable to attack the media," the minister said. 

"This administration is very, very, very sure that we support the media. And we will continue to support the media because we believe that a country that's truly committed to democracy is one that supports the media and does not put up with anything that undermines the role of the media." 

On a Monday, a video, with names and faces, emerged accusing six senior Jamaica Gleaner journalists of being linked to, and used by, the Opposition People's National Party (PNP) to attack the government. 

The company has rejected the allegations, saying the claims put members of the team "at risk of being targeted in varied ways". 

The attacks come as rhetoric between the two main parties heats up ahead of national elections due in less than 11 months. 

Morris Dixon said the government has general concerns about the negative implications of social media, including bullying.

 "That's an issue, and our prime minister has been on the record saying we have to look at social media and what is posted and we've seen it exacerbated with AI (artificial intelligence)... I think that conversation our prime minister tried to start about the social media and what we say on social media and having accountability about what was said is something we really do have to look at." 

The Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) has condemned the attacks and urged the two main political parties to address certain concerns.

 So far, neither party has responded publicly.  

The PAJ highlighted the video targeting Gleaner journalists, attempts by PNP supporters to link the Jamaica Observer's deputy managing director to influencing editorial policy, and JLP MP Everald Warmington's recent comments at a politically rally, accusing the RJRGLEANER Group of having an agenda against Holness. 

The association also cited PNP President Mark Golding's criticism at the party's annual conference, where he labelled some media houses as “JLP-aligned.”

“We will not stand idly by while our members face harassment, intimidation, or smear campaigns. We urge all Jamaicans to join us in condemning this attack on press freedom and reaffirming our commitment to a free and independent media," the PAJ said Monday.  

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