Editor-at-Large at the Jamaica Observer, Arthur Hall, is voicing concern over what he describes as the worst wave of attacks on media outlets and journalists in recent times.
These attacks come as Jamaica’s political climate intensifies ahead of the general elections, constitutionally due next year.
Mr. Hall’s comment follows the circulation of videos on social media that accuse media houses and journalists of aligning with either of the country’s two major political parties.
The most recent video specifically alleges that the chairman of the RJR/GLEANER Group influences editorial policy, while some journalists at the Jamaica Gleaner are linked to the People’s National Party, PNP.
Another video shows the Jamaica Labour Party’s, JLP, Everald Warmington at a recent political rally criticising the media in general and the PNP, saying they played a role in undermining former JLP leaders Edward Seaga and Bruce Golding and were now targeting Prime Minister Andrew Holness.
The media has also faced criticism from the PNP, with party president Mark Golding using the party’s annual conference in September to accuse certain sections of the media of being “JLP-aligned.”
While Mr. Hall acknowledges that the media is not above criticism, he says he is troubled by the heightened level of attacks.
He adds that he’s not against the idea of establishing a Press Complaints Council, where members of the public can formally register objections to news content rather than resorting to online accusations.
Arthur Hall, editor-at-Large at Jamaica Observer. He was speaking during Nationwide at Five on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, editor-in-chief of the Guyana Stabroek News Anand Persaud notes that the rise of social media has provided a platform for the public to freely criticise and condemn traditional media from a distance, amplifying tensions between the press and the public.
Anand Persaud, editor-in-chief of the Guyana Stabroek News.
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