On March 13, 2012 the MAJ invited the Minister of Justice to a meeting to discuss the status of the Review of Jamaica’s Defamation Act.

Other guests in attendance were Peter Wilson, Legal Director, Ministry of Justice; Justice Hugh Small; Roxanne Watson, Media Law Specialist, University of Florida; J. Khara East, Legal Officer, Jamaica Observer and Stephen Greig, Legal Officer/Company Secretary, RJR Group.

It was noted that there were hearings in Parliament since 2009 on the Libel Review which led to a Bill being tabled.  However, to date it had not been passed.  The MAJ appealed to Minister Golding to give it priority.  Mrs. Shena Stubbs-Gibson, Legal Advisor to MAJ, pointed out some concerns with the Bill and recommended amendments.  The Minister advised that the speed with which the Bill would be passed depended highly on the technicality of the changes suggested.

The Minister said he looked forward to further correspondence from MAJ selecting recommendations that can be expeditiously addressed in order to allow the Bill to be passed in a timely manner.