The Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) Monday called for an account after Radio Jamaica News correspondent Henry Shirley was excluded from a St Thomas Municipal Corporation committee meeting on October 7.
In a statement, the PAJ described the situation as a direct blow to public transparency, adding that it is ‘particularly troubled by the ultra-aggressive conduct of the Jamaica Labour Party’s John Lee during the exchange and the decision by committee chairman and Deputy Mayor, the JLP’s Michael McLeod, to order Mr Shirley to leave.’
A 10-minute recording of the exchange was captured by the journalist, with the PAJ describing the conduct of Lee, who is the Councillor for the Yallahs Division, as ‘well below the standard of civility and professionalism expected of an elected representative’.
PAJ president Tyrone Reid said that while he recognises that the committee chairpersons must maintain order and that legitimate concerns about confidentiality and privacy deserve consideration, objections must be addressed through ‘lawful, proportionate procedures, not by resorting to conduct that intimidates journalists or arbitrarily restricts access to public proceedings.
‘Disagreement with media coverage cannot justify hostility towards a journalist performing his professional duties,’ he added.
The PAJ also called for urgent clarification from the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development on the rules governing media access to municipal council and committee meetings.
‘We also call on the Ministry to issue clear written guidance to all municipal corporations and on the St Thomas Municipal Corporation to explain the legal and procedural basis for Mr. Shirley’s removal.’
The PAJ said that public institutions exist to serve the people and that ‘their proceedings must not be shielded from scrutiny merely because an official is uncomfortable with the presence of the press.
‘We expect the Ministry and the corporation to investigate this incident, address any conduct found to be inappropriate and take steps to prevent a recurrence,’ the PAJ said, adding press freedom is not a privilege granted at the discretion of public officials. It is an essential safeguard of democratic accountability.’
The PAJ said it was releasing the audio recording in the interest of transparency and accountability ‘so that the public can hear the exchange and make its own assessment of whether the conduct of the elected representatives and public officials involved meets the standards expected of those entrusted with public office.
‘Where a recording exists, the public should not be left to rely solely on competing accounts. Let the evidence speak for itself,’ Reid said.