Portia nuh chat pon mike, at least not on the street!

[Muadib]

Politicians in Jamaica would not last 1 day in America.. the press woulda NYAM DEM UP !

You guys are a joke.

[World Fan]

Prime Minister’s Office Responds To Journalist-Shoving Incident

Published: Thursday November 21, 2013 | 9:11 pm13 Comments

The Office of the Prime Minister has responded to media reports about the shoving of a Television Jamaica reporter who was seeking to question her about the reinstatement of junior transport and works minister Richard Azan.

The Prime Minister was in Rose Town, Kingston at a dedication ceremony for a water and sewer project when she was approached by the reporter.

Television footage shows that while the Prime Minister was leaving the venue, TVJ reporter Vashan Brown approached her and asked her about the project.

In the same interview Brown asked Simpson Miller to respond to criticisms about the reinstatement of Azan who was forced to resign two months ago over the illegal construction of shops at the Spalding Market.

Based on TV footage, the Prime Minister told the reporter that she would not respond to the Azan question saying if she did so, the journalist would only report on that issue and not the water and sewer project which she wanted to be televised.

The reporter continued to press the Prime Minister for an answer however, but she declined, walking away and at the same time, pushing away the reporter’s microphone.

At that point, two of her close protection officers intervened shoving the reporter.

The Prime Minister then told the reporter that when she travelled overseas has never had microphones being pushed at her.

SEE FULL STATEMENT FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER:

OPM clarifies incident

The Office of the Prime Minister, OPM, wishes to clarify media reports of an incident today in Rose Town which involved contact between a journalist and the Prime Minister’s Close Protection Officers.

At the end of a function at which the Prime Minister launched infrastructural works in the community of Rose Town, a journalist sought to engage in an impromptu un-cleared interview with the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister did entertain the journalist’s questions on the Rose Town Development Project after which he approached the Prime Minister to get a comment on the reinstatement of State Minister Richard Azan.

The Prime Minister responded on to the question and encouraged the journalist to share the good news about the developments taking place in Rose Town, before indicating she would wish no further comment on the reinstatement issue.

The journalist attempted to continue his questioning, moving toward the Prime Minister, at which point the PM’s security personnel began to clear a path for the Prime Minister to proceed to inspect the amenities launched as part of the community development project.

This unfortunate incident follows on a similar one earlier this year of journalists pushing microphones at the Prime Minister in an attempt to have questions answered.

Following that incident, guidelines were established for the proper management of on-location interviews with the Prime Minister, one of which calls for advanced notice of request for such interviews and the clearance of interviews with the Prime Minister’s on-site personnel.

The Government fully supports press freedom and the right of journalists to ask questions of the Prime Minister but must insist this be done in a manner respectful of the office and in keeping with the stated guidelines.

Portia Simpson Miller’s message to the media on National Journalism Week

Wednesday, November 27, 2013 | 10:21 AM

KINGSTON, Jamaica -- Following is Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller’s message to journalists on the observation of National Journalism Week by the Press Association of Jamaica.
I am pleased to share in the observance of National Journalism Week in Jamaica, November 24 to 29.

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I congratulate the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) for its role in keeping our press free and helping our journalists to maintain their professionalism at its highest standards.
The PAJ has been doing this for 70 years, which is a feat in itself. It leads journalists, as your theme says, to persevere in the face of adversity.
I recognise the value of a free and fair press and was proud to learn that Jamaica started the year 2013 as the highest ranked in the Western Hemisphere on press freedom; ahead of some of the great democracies.
Indeed, I welcome the comments of your president that the political leadership and the security forces in Jamaica deserved commendation for, by and large, allowing journalists to do their work without restriction.

The Government of Jamaica remains committed to a pluralist democracy where the voice of the people is strong, opinions are passionately held and our media market is diverse and competitive.
I am proud to say that we now have a defamation law that abolishes criminal defamation and removes the assessment of damage from a jury and placing that determination in the hands of a judge.
This is certainly an important step in enhancing press freedom in Jamaica and to which my administration remains firmly committed.
Let us do all we can to make our market for the exchange of public opinion free, fair and respectful. I wish our journalists and the PAJ the very best for National Journalism Week 2013.


Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/...#ixzz2lsflWSAf

Chew dat!

[World Fan]

"I have travelled the world.." - PM Portia

Lazie would agree with dat!

Vacationing on Tax money.

Outgoing US ambassador donates US$15,000 to PAJ

Friday, November 08, 2013

OUTGOING United States Ambassador to Jamaica Pamela Bridgewater yesterday said farewell to members of the press at a luncheon held at her residence in St Andrew.
Recounting what she described as an extremely busy three years of office in Jamaica, Ambassador Bridgewater thanked the media for its coverage of United States-supported events, which included training seminars, engagement with communities, and cultural exposes.


Outgoing United States Ambassador Pamela Bridgewater (left) presents a replica of a cheque for US$15,000 to Press Association of Jamaica President Jenni Campbell at a farewell luncheon at her residence in St Andrew, yesterday. The money will assist with further development of the association’s data centre. (PHOTO: BRYAN CUMMINGS)

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In expressing her appreciation to the Jamaican press corps, Ambassador Bridgewater presented the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) with a gift of US$15,000 (J$1.57 million) in support of the further development of its data centre at the organisation's headquarters.
PAJ President Jenni Campbell thanked the ambassador for her generosity. She said the more than 400 members of the PAJ were appreciative of the gift and would find the expansion of the data centre of tremendous benefit.
"It is useful to take a look at the ambassador's journey through her various postings in Africa and other parts of the world and take encouragement and inspiration from what she has achieved. She has been a great, generous and humble presence among us," Campbell said.
The PAJ's data centre was established to provide an off-site space for working journalists to conduct research and produce content for public consumption.


Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Outgoing-US-ambassador-donates-US-15-000-to-PAJ_15409493#ixzz2lsuPVZ