Leonardo Blair, Enterprise Reporter
AFTER SOME seven years in the field, the Carter Center will close its local office in Jamaica after setting the foundation for a hopeful culture of access to information.
"We saw the passage of a good (Access to Information) Act that went through a series of amendments," said Laura Neuman, assistant director for the Americas Programme at The Carter Center. "The Government has been incredibly receptive and Jamaica will serve as a mentor (in access to information) to other like nations such as Cayman. It will really be up to Jamaicans now to take hold of this law and say we are going to use it."
The centre begins its closing statement to the nation today with a facilitated discussion on the media's use of access to information and investigative journalism, with special emphasis on national security information at the Knutsford Court Hotel, New Kingston.
Special guests will include tertiary-level media students who applied for the Investigative Journalism Award, the Jamaica Media Association and the Press Association of Jamaica.
Several international experts will also be meeting with local stakeholders this week to look at Jamaica's progress and how to continue follow-up work.
