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Distrust growing between gov't and Jamaica's media - RSF

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Information Minister Robert Morgan
 
Despite Jamaica's improved ranking in the latest World Press Freedom index, global media watchdog, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) says there is a growing gulf of distrust between government officials and the media.
 
It adds that the distrust has contributed to a decline in institutional respect for press freedom.
 
The index was released Friday.
 
RSF says while physical attacks are rare in Jamaica's media industry, they do happen.
 
The report cited an incident where gunman opened fire in the parking lot of Nationwide Radio's offices last September.
 
It also mentioned the November 2022 incident where a videographer for Television Jamaica and a reporter from the Jamaica Gleaner were attacked while covering a teachers' protest in St. Catherine when a man interrupted their interview and damaged their equipment.
 
The global media watchdog is urging reporters to continue to measure the threat posed to them by the country's high crime rate when they are investigating a sensitive subject.
 
Jamaica moved up eight places on the 2024 World Press Freedom index.
 
The country now ranks 24th out of 180 countries, with a score of 77.3.
 
This compares with the 75.89 it received last year.
 
'Open environment for journalists'
 
The government of Jamaica has said the country's advancement in the World Press Freedom rankings is a testament to the nation's commitment to creating a safe and open environment for journalists.
 
Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the improvement not only underscores the government's unwavering commitment to media freedom, but also reflects the successful implementation of policies aimed at enhancing the flow of factual and timely information to citizens.
 
For his part, Minister with responsibility for Information, Robert Morgan, said the 24th place ranking reaffirms Jamaica's dedication to improving conditions for journalistic work. 
 
"Jamaica's move from 32 in the rankings to 24 with an improved score is significant as it now places Jamaica as the top country in the Caribbean as it relates to press freedom. The government of Jamaica has done a lot of work as it relates to encouraging press freedom and creating an environment of accessibility for media workers in Jamaica. 
 
"Our reinvigorated post-cabinet press briefing creates a safe environment where media personnel can ask any question to any minister and answers are given. We find the ranking to be a testament to Jamaica's continued work in improving the conditions, the safety and the freedom of journalists to do their work," he asserted. 
 


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