Jamaican legislators called on to safeguard news media in data protection bill
Legislation in Jamaica aimed at protecting personal data should safeguard media from having to reveal confidential news sources and other proprietary information, the IAPA said.
Jamaica decriminalises defamation
After a seven-year debate involving representatives of the government, media, and civil society, Jamaica has now become the first independent Caribbean country to have no criminal defamation laws — including seditious libel — on the books.
Cross-dressing teenager murdered in Jamaica
Dwayne Jones, 16, was found dead on July 22 after being attacked at a party he attended dressed in women’s clothing. According to news reports, when someone at the party identified Jones as male, a crowd chased him as he fled. Police found his body on the road, with multiple stab wounds and a gun wound.
Jamaican Senate passes bill to abolish criminal defamation
Currently, all 16 independent countries in the Caribbean maintain some form of criminal defamation law, including seditious libel or desacato. Should the Defamation Bill 2013 pass the House of Representatives, Jamaica would become the first country in the Caribbean to have no such laws on the books.
Jamaican ministers tell IPI that criminal defamation can be repealed this year
The ministers agreed with IPI that journalists shouldn’t go to prison for defamation, noting that there other ways of dealing (with this issue rather) than using criminal courts.
IPI endorses Press Association of Jamaica letter to prime minister
The Press Association of Jamaica is concerned about negative comments and veiled threats made against media workers who are reporting on the country’s upcoming elections.
Legislators consider defamation suits against telecom providers
Legislators in Jamaica are discussing whether telecommunications service providers should be sued if defamatory material is disseminated on their networks.
Journalist Ricardo Makyn arrested for taking photos of police officer who shot, wounded man
(RSF/IFEX) – Police arrests of two journalists in one week were an abuse of power, Reporters Without Borders said, calling for a full investigation of the two cases. Those arrested by police in Kingston were: Julian Richardson, financial journalist for the daily “Jamaica Observer” and Ricardo Makyn, a photographer for the daily “The Gleaner”. Richardson […]
General Assembly 2008 Country Report: Jamaica
General Assembly 2008 Country Report: Jamaica
Report to the Midyear Meeting 2008: Jamaica
Report to the Midyear Meeting 2008: Jamaica
Freedom of the Press 2007: Jamaica
Freedom of the Press 2007: Jamaica
Freedom House files amicus curiae brief calling for reversal of financial penalty against newspaper publishing company
(Freedom House/IFEX) – The following is a 9 March 2004 Freedom House press release: FREEDOM HOUSE FILES AMICUS BRIEF TO SUPPORT CARIBBEAN PRESS FREEDOM NEW YORK, March 9, 2004 — The government of Jamaica should reverse an onerous financial penalty against a major Jamaican newspaper publishing company, Freedom House has requested in an amicus curiae […]