Minister of Finance and the Public Service Audley Shaw ... Jamaica has developed a culture of corruption, which he says runs like a virus throughout Jamaica and which has infected every strata of society, including the young. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Corruption in Jamaica and the role of the media in reducing this practice was squarely put on the forefront at the Press Freedom and Corruption Prevention Seminar held last Thursday at the Mona Visitors' Lodge.

"The role of the media is to provide the people in a democratic society with an understanding of the issues and of their problems," said popular talk-show host Wilmot 'Motty' Perkins.

With the general consensus by the majority of the speakers that Jamaica suffered from corruption, both real and perceived, several ideas were deposited as to ways to tackle corruption and the role media plays.

"Corruption has reached a point in Jamaica where it materially affects everyone, it materially affects the quality of our daily lives, it materially affects the future of our children and it materially affects the lives of our children," said Finance Minister Audley Shaw.

Virus

Mr. Shaw lamented the fact that Jamaica has developed a culture of corruption, which he says runs like a virus throughout Jamaica and which has infected every strata of society, including the young.

President of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) Mark Myers pointed to the responsibility of public officials in conducting themselves in a fair manner.

"Public officials represent the state in its interface with the private sector and civil society. In this role, public officials are expected to perform their functions lawfully, honestly and fairly".

In the same breath, he said the private sector would also have to participate in the fight against corruption.

In his contribution, Mr. Perkins, a veteran journalist, said the media was partly to be blamed for corruption.

"It is clear that the media in this country is falling down; people are not adequately informed. The people of this country seem not to understand what corruption is costing them."

Mr. Perkins believed that a free press was not a privilege, but an extension of the freedom of the people of that society.

The seminar was put on by the Media Association of Jamaica in association with the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica and the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce.