Senator Pearnel Charles Jr - file photo
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Senator Pearnel Charles Jr
A Government Senator has called for the media to recognise the important role it plays, especially with the concern about fake news on social media platforms.
Senator Pearnel Charles Jr's comment comes as the Upper House acknowledged the observance of World Press Freedom Day today.
Senator Charles said fake news is a serious concern, as it has a negative impact on the perception Jamaicans have about the conduct and activities of the leadership in the country.
"We raise that concern knowing that we're living in a time where over three billion people are utilising social media and then there are increases of almost 10 per cent yearly of the users; and so it highlights even more the importance of acknowledging our official press and their responsibility to not only pass information but to highlight where wrong information is being disseminated and distributed," he said.
He acknowledged the role of the media in holding the Senate as well as other public and private entities accountable and noted that the press in Jamaica has been accommodated "in ways that they are not accommodated in many countries" while "the press in some countries have to treat with blatant attacks and tendencies for the state to have censorship which we in Jamaica do not have."
He said the ranking of Jamaica in the top 10 for freedom of information over the last three years demonstrates the importance that is placed in the media.
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