Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) Raises Alarm Over Media Attacks in Jamaica

The Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU), based in Barbados, has expressed serious concern regarding “unfounded mis and disinformation attacks” on media professionals in Jamaica. This follows a statement from the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ), which condemned these threats to press freedom amid allegations from supporters of the two major political parties.

The PAJ addressed a viral video that falsely accused the chairman of the RJRGLEANER Group of manipulating editorial policies and claimed links between journalists at the Jamaica Gleaner and the People’s National Party (PNP). They stressed the importance of combating misinformation that undermines journalistic integrity, reiterating their commitment to ethical journalism.

In response, Everald Warmington, a legislator from the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), accused the RJR Gleaner Communications Group of having an agenda to damage Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s reputation.

CBU president Anthony Greene, said his organization with membership in the Dutch, English, French and Spanish Caribbean, had taken note of the recent reports of public attacks on journalists and media managers in Jamaica.

He said the CBU, “which believes in and engages tirelessly in advocacy for freedom of information and freedom of the press,” has therefore found it necessary to issue a public statement on the matter.

“The CBU is deeply concerned at these unfounded mis and disinformation attacks on media professionals at member organization the RJRGLEANER Communications Group, as well as other media houses, apparently for political ends.”

Greene said that the CBU regards “this as a troubling development and notes the significant effect the incident has had on news professionals in Jamaica, as they seek to perform their public duties, including covering the lead-up to national elections constitutionally due in 2025.”

“Media professionals and values-driven media organizations are not immune from and do not seek to exempt themselves from fair comment and reasonable critique. However, these recent incidents have crossed into the field of personal attacks, apparently because of probing or critical coverage of matters which are clearly in the public interest.”

The CBU said that it is “wholeheartedly” expressing support “for professional journalism and for independence of the media in covering all aspects of society, including political issues.”

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“And the CBU rejects partisan attacks on media practitioners, wherever they occur, since they can only serve to undermine one of the key pillars of democratic society and good governance, which is a fair and independent media sector,” Greene added.