The governing Jamaica Labour Party, JLP, is welcoming what it describes as a significant and important step in moving up eight places in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index.
The island now ranks 24th out of 180 countries, which represents an improved ranking when compared to the ranking of 32 received last year.
Jamaica also has the best press freedom ranking in the Caribbean.
The JLP says it’s encouraged by the finding that Jamaica ranks among the countries that most respect freedom of information.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness says this achievement reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to fostering an environment where journalists can work freely and safely.
Mr. Holness says his administration will persist in efforts to further improve the rankings, ensuring that journalists can continue their vital work unhindered.
In the meantime, party General Secretary Dr. Horace Chang noted that Jamaica’s improvement in the press freedom rankings was largely due to the JLP administration’s steadfast efforts in promoting press freedom.
Dr. Chang says it must be noted that freedom has been a guiding principle championed by the Party since its inception.
Meanwhile, the Media Association of Jamaica, MAJ, is lamenting the continued threats to journalism on a global scale.
It made note of the geopolitical tensions centred around Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Palestine, and Haiti.
The MAJ says journalists often find themselves on the frontlines of such violence in a bid to perform their duties in covering the developments.
It also expressed that media houses continue to struggle to earn sufficiently and provide decent wages for their journalists.
It also made mention of the competition between traditional and digital media, as well as artificial intelligence.
The MAJ says the trickle-down effects of global dynamics continue to affect Jamaica’s ability to operate effectively.
It says Jamaica still contends with outdated defamation legislation and suppresses information of public interest.
The MAJ also made mention of the New Data Protection Act and the new broadcast code, which it says further impedes good journalism.
The association is calling for a collaborative effort to tackle these issues so local media can thrive.
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