Jamaica House media briefings not confined to Cabinet decisions

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Dear Editor,

Ken Chaplin's piece in your February 21 edition, "Jamaica House press briefing bastardised", was somewhat off course.

At our first media briefing (not attended by Mr Chaplin), it was clearly stated that the post-Cabinet press briefings would be revamped as, among other things, we did not wish to have a situation as obtained previously, where partisan political matters, which have no place at such briefings, end up being included or even dominating post-Cabinet briefing sessions.

The claim by Mr Chaplin that the briefings "no longer convey information concerning Cabinet discussions" is not true. The new format and name change to the Jamaica House media briefing not only expands coverage beyond communicating Cabinet decisions, but it allows for the dissemination of other pertinent information to journalists and the public.

In fact, the first segment of each briefing is devoted to Cabinet decisions which are ably and fully presented by the information minister with ample opportunity for questions from journalists. This is followed by specialist presentations - an important statement from a minister or other agencies updating journalists on significant issues. Again, those in attendance are invited to ask questions. So far at our briefings, in addition to communicating the decisions of Cabinet, we have had presentations on the economy, tourism and the fire at Riverton landfill.

I can only guess Mr Chaplin's charge of "bastardisation" is due to his not being privy to the new established protocol and that he was late in getting to the briefing he attended at which the finance minister gave the specialist presentation.

This change in format and expanded coverage of issues beyond Cabinet decisions and the change of name to more accurately reflect the nature of the briefing can in no way be described as "bastardisation". That is certainly not the business we aim to conduct.

Lincoln Robinson

Press Secretary

Jamaica House

Kingston 10