Byron Buckley (centre), president of the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ), has the rapt attention of (from left) Treasurer Milton Walker, First Vice-President Fae Ellington, Secretary Naomi Francis, and Second Vice-President Vernon Davidson. The new PAJ executive, elected on July 27, held its first meeting on Thursday, August 7. - - Contributed

THE BYRON BUCKLEY-led executive of the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) announced the setting up of six working committees during its first meeting last Thursday.

Buckley, who was elected president of the 65-year-old association two Sundays ago, heads the training and development committee, which will oversee the drive to implement critical training programmes aimed at improving the skills and competencies of media practitioners.

First Vice-President Fae Ellington is chairperson of the ethics and standards committee which will undertake the revamping of the code of ethics for the profession, as well as address the matter of registering media practitioners.

Secretary Naomi Francis leads the communications and public- relations committee.

This committee has responsi-bility for keeping the PAJ membership and the public informed about the association's activities and programmes. The communications and PR committee is finalising plans to host a monthly on-the-record session, as well as press conferences with prominent public figures, com-mencing in August.

Treasurer Milton Walker chairs the finance and benefits committee. In addition to fund-raising, this committee will pursue the implementation of health, pension and consumer benefits for media practitioners, as well as initiate an industrywide study of compen-sation scales for media practitioners.

social events

Director Daraine Luton leads the member-relations committee, which will ensure members are in touch with each other through the staging of regular social events. The member-relations committee also has responsibility for recrui-ting new members.

Executive director Hylton Dennis heads the special events committee, which has responsi-bility for implementing several PAJ calendar events that are held in Journalism Week, as well as the PAJ's year-long 65th anniversary celebratory activities.

Media practitioners interested in serving on any of these committees are asked to contact PAJ Secretary Naomi Francis at 497-4805 or 395-1523.

The new PAJ executive was elected at the association's annual general meeting held on July 27 at the PAJ headquarters, 5 East Avenue in St Andrew. Outgoing secretary Byron Buckley defeated - 136 to 12 - outgoing president Desmond Richards, who ran again for office.