Editorial
Attitude Towards the Media
There are "many serious media disasterswaiting to happen", Oliver Clarke, the chairman and managingdirector of The Gleaner Company Ltd. yesterday called for freedomof the press to be included in the Jamaican Constitution, accordingto a report published in the Jamaica Gleaner newspaper last Wednesday,26 June.
"It is impossible for media in Jamaicato perform their functions properly unless they are given someprotection which arises from the different definitions of libelin United States and here," he said "And it's extremelyunfortunate that we can receive broadcasts directly from an environmentwhich has a far more generous libel law than we have," hesaid.
Mr. Clarke also called for changes in thelibel laws relating to public officials.
Citing the need for absolute privilege inrelation to statements made about government or quasi-governmentbodies and their members, Mr. Clarke declared: "If Jamaicais going to really challenge the public sector to become moreefficient, to make better use of scarce public resources thatwe have, to be honest and less corrupt and to ensure that thecountry is run in the best interest of all, then there needs tobe greater openness ... and public officials need to come undermuch greater scrutiny in conducting their public activities thanthey now do."
The Gleaner Company chairman said that ifone takes public office, that person becomes a public figure andshould be prepared to face an inquisitive press and public.
"Jamaica will have to change its lawsrelating to public officials, to allow the public to have a betterunderstanding of how the country is run. It is not equitable topenalise the media - in the absence of malice - for doing a jobon behalf of the people of Jamaica," Mr. Clarke said.
What Mr. Clarke did not mention while addressingthe 40th anniversary awards luncheon of the Advertising AgenciesAssociation of Jamaica (AAAJ) at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, NewKingston, was that some private sector business owners also makedecisions on spending based on malice because a media dares toreport on matters that affect their profits and the consumers'pocket books.
Emphasising the need for reform of the Constitutionin Jamaica, Mr. Clarke said that as things now stand, that country'sConstitution only talks of freedom of expression, while thoseof several of Jamaica's neighbours protect their press by enshriningits freedom in their Constitutions.
Throughout the current active debate onthe modernisation of Cayman's own Constitution, there has beennot one single voice or line raised expressing support for media'sincessant coverage from both sides of the Government and otherswho have braved the intimidation often expressed by politicalsupporters.
"There are many serious media disasterswaiting to happen," said Mr. Clarke who is also the presidentof the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ).
He was referring mainly to the wire servicefeeds that most news organizations are dependent upon to filltheir news content.
We however, take this further by sayingthis "disaster" could include the inability to havealternative voices, who may not be as economically strong as thosewho have had a monopoly, yet are unafraid to provoke discussionamong the populace on matters of concern to the future good willof this country.
Cayman Net Newsis indeed proud of the part it has played in its presentationof issues, which may have otherwise been left alone to burn outof control. By doing so, we have created healthy debate whichmay influence the outcome of many decisions in the interest ofnatural justice for all.
Regardless of the competition which existsfor advertising income, the race to the market of consumers canbe assured, that this is one medium which will continue to doeverything it can even with limited resources to maintain itsposition as being determined to purvey the news without fear orfavour.
And among such, there is so much good totell.