The Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) has said it notes with concern, Jamaica's decline in the world press freedom ranking.
The PAJ said while the country remains among the top ranked globally and second in the Caribbean, the downward trend is a wake-up call that should not be ignored.
The association added that it is important to recall that the country once held a top-ten position, reaching an all-time high of sixth place in 2020.
According to the PAJ, the decline over the last five years underscores the urgent need for meaningful interventions to preserve the gains made and strengthen the country's commitment to press freedom.
The report highlights a troubling erosion in the relationship between the media and public institutions, especially the state. It cites growing mistrust, limited transparency, and increased economic vulnerability among newsrooms.
According to the PAJ, these trends threaten to undermine public interest journalism and democratic accountability. It cited the recent Supreme Court ruling in a defamation case against the Gleaner.
The PAJ said the ruling raises serious concerns about how journalists will continue to benefit from legal protections that have long undergirded effective, timely, and responsible coverage of parliamentary proceedings.
It said this move undermines the long-established legal defence of principle of qualified privilege which protects journalists who fairly and accurately report on matters discussed in Parliament.
It warned that the use of the courts to sanction such reporting sends a chilling message to all journalists engaged in parliamentary reporting, adding that it is a direct threat to freedom of expression and the media's role as watchdog.
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