File photo showing representatives of the Jamaica Labour Party and People's National Party in the social debate for the 2020 general election.
The Jamaica Debates Commission has expressed extreme disappointment with the confidentiality breach in the release of the names of potential journalists to participate in the three political debates ahead of the general election.
The first debate on social issues is scheduled for August 23.
A Jamaica Observer article published on Saturday reportedly had aspects of discussions between the two main political parties and the potential list of journalists that would participate in the debates.
The article, which has since been deleted, also included information that both parties raised objections to the participation of some journalists from the RJRGLEANER Communications Group and Nationwide News Network.
Following the publication, the PNP and the JLP issued statements revealing the names of the journalists with whom they were comfortable participating in the debates and those to whom they objected.
The PNP also accused the JLP of a breaching protocol. This was rejected by the JLP, which denied issuing a media release on the discussions and accused the opposition party of unethical conduct in its objection of all journalists from Nationwide News Network.
The Jamaica Observer has since apologised for suggesting that Chairman of the JLP's Communication Task Force Abka Fitz-Henley issued a media statement concerning the meeting with the Jamaica Debates Commission.
Reacting to the breach, the JDC lamented the exposure of some details of its ongoing negotiations in relation to the staging of the three debates.
The organisation says the published information could impact the reputations of the people named in the article.
The JDC says it owes it to the public to proceed with the agreed programme of activities in good faith and appropriate confidentiality.
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