Guests at Heads of Media Meetings in 2010 Print
Friday, 31 December 2010 00:00

January 8, 2010

Guests:  Fr. Richard Holung, Fr. Brian Kerr, Fr. Kenneth Richards, Fr. Gregory Ramkissoon, Dr. Doreen West, Dr. Dwayne West

They charged the media to use their powers to influence the society positively and serve as philosophers with a point of view and values.

The media encouraged them to participate in talk shows, forward their views to the media and make use of the editorials.

February 5, 2010

Guests:  Ministry of Education – Minister of Education, Andrew Holness; Director of Communications, Colin Blair; Rebecca Tortello

The Minister advised the issue of illiteracy was being addressed by improving institutional, instructional and environmental leadership as well as parallel reinforcement.  They would be running a social marketing campaign “Literacy for Life, Reading for Reason”.  They asked for airtime for advertising.

March 5, 2010

Guest:  Dr. Elizabeth Ward, Chairman, Violence Prevention Alliance

Discussions were held on finding more ways to fight crime, identifying role models, promoting messages of peace and building hope.  It was also agreed that the media would provide VPA with support as much as possible.

April 9, 2010

Guests:  Private Sector Organization of Jamaica – Sandra Glasgow, CEO; Joseph Matalon, President; Nicholas Scott, Vice-President

The PSOJ needed to expose its policies to the wider society to invite public discourse on economic issues.  MAJ suggested that PSOJ should also acknowledge the critical nature of the socio-political issues on economic life and they were invited to support the media in its efforts in crime prevention and awareness.

They solicited discounted rates for radio and print advertising for their campaign.  This was to create a greater level of awareness and appreciation for policy prescriptions, general support that will serve to strengthen advocacy efforts and to make the people care about the issue.

June 4, 2010

Guests:  JCF – Sgt. Steve Brown; Crime Chief, Glenmore Hinds; Director of Communications, Karl Angel; JDF – Major Ricardo Blackwood; Colonel Rocky Meade

Consequent to the arrest of Christopher “Dudus” Coke causing an uprising in Tivoli Gardens, it was apparent that the security forces were not in sync with the media’s principles of investigating and reporting the news.  They were therefore invited to the meeting for suggestions and feedback. 

The process of disseminating information needed improvement.  MAJ asked that key words and terms be defined for accurate reporting and that specifics and numbers always be provided.  An effective communication strategy was necessary.

Journalists did not feel welcome speaking to the police.  The JDF were more approachable.  The JCF promised to look into this.

MAJ suggested it would be within the security forces’ interest to provide human interest stories to win over the public’s sympathy.

The media advised they were willing to help and support the security forces to make Jamaica a better place.

August 13, 2010

Guest:  Jamaica Film Producers Association - President, Brian St. Juste

Mr. St. Juste was invited to the meeting to discuss the Jamaica Film Producers Association’s position on local film production funding.

December 3, 2010

Guests:  Jamaicans For Justice – Carolyn Gomes, Executive Director; David Silvera, Chairman; Davina Gayle, Communications Specialist

To get their work out in the public eye, the MAJ suggested the JFJ could schedule regular briefing meetings; continue personal intervention; check their timing and news flow; build relationships with Editors and make use of the editorial columns and request appearances on television programmes.

The MAJ asked for their support on Libel Review and suggested joining hands to spark national discourse on governance issues.