THE Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) is expressing concern following the confrontation between information minister Daryl Vaz and Sunday Herald journalist Christine King on Friday.Related stories:Vaz says he’ll sue Sunday HeraldVaz denies he owes millions in taxes

King was at a function speaking to members of the Vaz family when she claimed that the minister confronted her.

“Suddenly, this man was in my face using expletives while attacking me about a story referring to his taxes that was scheduled to be published in the Sunday Herald on Sunday November 28.  I was taken aback,” said King in a letter to PAJ president Jenni Campbell, which was relayed in a statement this morning.

She wrote that she was stunned at what she said was minister’s threatening and abusive behaviour.

“As a member of the media I take great offence from the minister, a public official, being verbally abusive to me about a story to be published in my newspaper. And as a woman also, I take great affront of the minister coming up into my face and using expletives to me,” she said.

Vaz had himself complained to the PAJ about the article and denied allegations contained in it that he owes $400 million in taxes. He has said he will sue the Sunday Herald.

THE PAJ said that with the incident occurring on the eve of National Journalism Week, it highlighted the need for dialogue when persons, including public officials, feel they are wronged by the press.

“The PAJ rejects and condemns any attack, verbal or otherwise, against journalists. We urge persons who feel they have been wronged by the press to use existing channels, including the courts, to settle grievances,” said the PAJ.

The association added that it is working to establish its own self-monitoring mechanism, which will allow the airing of these issues.

“Abusive words, intended or not, serve only to block the free flow of information and further foster the perception of distrust and corruption.”

Media houses are also encouraged by the PAJ to adopt its code of practice, which was ratified by the organisation, to better educate the public as to what they can expect of journalists.

“We push for our membership to adapt the Code of Practice that was ratified by the organisation and operate within the agreed statutes so that the public will know what to expect of us as we carry out our duties,” the PAJ said.

“This recent episode between a public official and a media practitioner highlights the urgent need for representatives of the government to sit with the PAJ informally at the Press Club and exchange views on how we see media operating in a developing country like Jamaica.”