By Lorraine Mendez/Kimone Witter
Gary Allen, Chief Executive Officer of the RJRGLEANER Communications Group, has called for People's National Party (PNP) President Mark Golding to apologise to media workers who were verbally abused at the party's headquarters on Monday evening.
A female member of the RJRGLEANER Group was threatened with sexual assault and attempts were made to prevent the media workers from carrying out their duties. The media worker was also chastised by a PNP official for wearing green clothing to cover the assignment.
The incident occurred while supporters of Alric Campbell from the St. Catherine South Eastern constituency demanded a meeting with the PNP president on the recent candidate selection exercise.
Expressing shock at the incident, Mr. Allen descibed as "sad" and "ironic" the fact that it occurred five days after the observance of World Press Freedom Day.
The RJRGLEANER Group CEO has also demanded that the PNP apologises to its staff and all media workers who were affected by what he termed the "despicable incident".
Further, Mr. Golding has been asked to commit to providing an acceptable environment for media workers to report on matters of public interest surrounding the PNP.
Violation of press freedom
The Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) has also condemned the attack on media workers at the People's National Party headquarters Monday evening.
PAJ President Milton Walker said the attacks were a violation of the fundamental human rights of journalists.
The PAJ said it is also deeply disturbed by the actions of PNP Deputy General Secretary Dexroy Martin, who during Monday evening's incident, criticised the Radio Jamaica and Nationwide News Network reporters for wearing green clothing to the party's headquarters.
Mr. Walker said all political parties should be mindful that freedom of the press is a cornerstone of democracy, and that journalists must be allowed to carry out their duties without fear of reprisal.
He said the PAJ stands in solidarity with the affected journalists and called for a thorough investigation of the incident.
JLP denounces incident
In the meantime, the Jamaica Labour Party says it strongly denounces the incident involving the media workers, adding that it was disturbed by the threat of sexual assault which was reportedly made in the presence of senior PNP officials.
The JLP has also rejected as unprofessional and out of line a comment directed at a female journalist by a Deputy General Secretary of the PNP, suggesting that he can dictate with whom she can interact.
The party said the conduct of the PNP officials and supporters is an egregious attack on press freedom and the lawful work of journalists and must be condemned in the strongest terms.
The JLP has also called for Mr. Golding to reject the actions of his supporters and strongly reprimand the party official who advanced on the female journalist and attempted to dictate to her how to do her work.
PNP apologises
The People's National Party has said it is deeply concerned about Monday's incident at its headquarters.
The party said the matter is regrettable, and has apologised to the media workers and the public.
The PNP says the incident involving Deputy General Secretary Dexroy Martin, and a worker with the RJRGLEANER Communications Group was unacceptable and does not reflect the position of the party with respect to engagements with the media and guests on its property.
The PNP said it disassociates itself from Mr. Martin's behaviour, and sought to reassure the media that such behaviour will not be tolerated within the party.
The party said it values the role of the media in a democratic society and recognises that journalists have an important role to play in holding public officials accountable.
It said all necessary steps will be taken to ensure such incidents do not recur.
The party said it further notes with much discomfort the inappropriate behaviour and offensive comment from other unidentified people who were present at its headquarters.
It said neither Mr. Martin nor any other party officer witnessed the abusive remark directed at the female journalist and has strongly condemned it.
The party said it will support any investigation by the authorities of this matter and is prepared to take swift and appropriate action against the perpetrator.