Sandra Minott Phillips (right), attorney-at-law and partner in the law firm Myers, Fletcher and Gordon (MF&G), emphasises a point to Gail Walters (left), legal officer, Jamaica Observer, during a brief discussion which included Eleanor Henry (second left), general manager, Media Association of Jamaica (MAJ) and Deidre English-Gosse, assistant executive director/legal officer, Broadcasting Commission, at MF&G's offices in Kingston. - Contributed
NIGEL JONES, former legal adviser for the Gleaner Company Limited, has highlighted some concerns regarding reform of the laws concerning the Jamaican media. He was speaking at the recently-held MF&G/JCB Wednesday morning seminar at MF&G's offices in Kingston.
In his presentation entitled: 'The Law and The Media: Threats to Press Freedom', Mr. Jones noted that the Jamaican Constitution, although protecting individuals' freedom of expression, does not explicitly mention the press in this regard.
Against this background, he said some media interests had expressed the need for reform of the country's libel laws, particularly in the awarding of high damages in defamation cases, which had resulted in some
journalists practising self-
censorship.
CONCERN
Mr. Jones said inadequate
constitutional provisions and defamation laws were also of concern to media practitioners. The former, he explained, facilitated freedom of expression by individuals, inclusive of their holding opinions and receiving and imparting information
without interference.
Additionally, it stipulated that nothing contained in or done under the authority of the law should compromise this facilitation, a provision under which the country's existing defamation laws would fall.
Against this background, Mr. Jones said the proposed Charter of Rights Bill intends to revise the constitutional protection of the fundamental rights and freedoms which would guarantee: the right to freedom of expression, and the right to seek, receive, distribute or disseminate information, opinions and ideas through any medium.
In the same vein, however, Mr. Jones stressed that in order to minimise or avoid libel suits, media houses must practise responsible journalism as well as implement editorial policies and codes; conduct regular libel seminars, utilise internal and external legal counsel, and lobby Government for constitutional and legislative changes.
