Press body to undertake reform measures
Published: Sunday | August 16, 2009
The new executive of the Press Association of Jamaica. From left: Anicia Thomas (director), Marilyn Facey (assistant secretary), Irvin Forbes (secretary), Daraine Luton (second vice-president), Milton Walker (treasurer), Dara Smith (director) and Byron Buckley (president). Absent from the photo are Fae Ellington (first vice-president) and Kimone Thompson (director). Buckley was re-elected to serve as president for a second term unopposed. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
The Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) is to undertake three reform measures arising from its annual general meeting held recently. The measures include the commission of a study to determine the effectiveness and relevance of the association to media practitioners; the review of the association's constitution; and the holding of consultations about the revised draft code of practice for media practitioners.
Members attending the 66th annual general meeting of the PAJ on August 9 mandated the executive to appoint a strategic review commission to:
1. Examine the current roles and functions of the PAJ.
2. Examine the effectiveness of the PAJ as a professional organisation
3. Ascertain from the persons the organisation seeks to serve, by way of scientific research, their expectations from the PAJ and the reason for their levels of interest in the PAJ.
4. Make recommendations on how to tailor the affairs of the PAJ to meet the demands of the persons it seeks to serve.
Member Daraine Luton moved a motion calling for the appointment of the strategic review commission based on the low attendance at the annual general meeting.
The review of the PAJ's constitution will be a companion exercise to the strategic review of the role and function of the association.
wide-scale consultations
The annual general meeting also empowered the executive to conduct wide-scale consultations with media practitioners regarding the revised code of practice before its implementation.
A special general meeting is to be convened during the observance of Journalism Week: November 29-December 5; and members will be asked approve the draft code of practice.
Gleaner Associate Editor Byron Buckley was returned as president of the PAJ unopposed.
Elected officers of the new executive are: President, Byron Buckley (returned); 1st VP, Fae Ellington (returned); 2nd VP, Daraine Luton (former director); treasurer, Milton Walker (returned); secretary, Irwin Forbes (former asst sec); asst sec, Marilyn Facey (new); directors, Dara Smith (returned), Kimone Thompson (new), Anicia Thomas (new).
A representative of the PAJ Central Chapter as well as of the affiliated media association in Western Jamaica will also sit on the executive.
Contact: Byron Buckley - 4408393 Irvin Forbes - 7983110
