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| PAJ President Jenni Campbell |
Kingston, Jamaica - January 30, 2013: The Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) is heartened by the 2013 Press Freedom Index released by Reporters Without Borders, which shows Jamaica leading the Western Hemisphere in press freedom.
Ranked 13th in the world, Jamaica has replaced Canada as the country with the greatest level of press freedom in the Hemisphere, an achievement which every Jamaican should guard jealously.
In welcoming the latest ranking, PAJ President Jenni Campbell applauded State actors including the political leadership and members of the security forces who, by and large, have allowed journalists to do their work without restrictions.
However Ms. Campbell noted that Jamaica's ranking could be even higher if the planned reform of the archaic libel and defamation law is done.
"The libel and defamation laws remain the greatest restrictions for Jamaican journalists who want to get on with the job of informing the nation fearlessly and unbiased," said Miss Campbell.
"The freedom of the local media is a significant achievement for the country and I am challenging the Portia Simpson Miller-led administration to stick to its word of tabling the amended legislation in Parliament before the end of this legislative year."
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Contact: Arthur Hall - 2nd Vice President
C/0 922-3400
Sent from my BlackBerry® device from Digicel
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