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Jamaica joins the rest of the world in commemorating World Press Freedom Day, under the theme “Critical Minds for Critical Times: Media’s role in advancing peaceful, just and inclusive societies.”
The celebration comes as Jamaica moves up two places to eighth on the 2017 World Press Freedom Index.
Jamaica’s Foreign Minister, Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith reiterates the commitment of the Government to promoting the fundamental principles of a free press, while noting Jamaica’s longstanding reputation for protection of speech, press and political inclusion of its citizens.
Speaking from Brussels, where she is attending the ACP and Joint ACP-EU Council of Ministers meetings, Minister Johnson Smith said, “Jamaica consistently ranks highly on the press freedom index, a noteworthy and enviable achievement in a global environment where journalists, who are the guardians of our democracy, are sometimes victimised and persecuted.”
The Minister continued, “In light of this reality, the Government of Jamaica supports the call for the appointment of a Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for the Safety of Journalists.”
Minister Johnson Smith noted that Jamaica’s Permanent Mission to the UN in New York has begun representation to advance this initiative.
World Press Freedom Day was established by the UN General Assembly in December 1993.
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