MINISTERS responsible for information and communication technology in the Caribbean Community (Caricom) will be considering proposals for the shaping of a policy to meet the needs of the community when they gather for a one-day conference in Antigua and Barbuda tomorrow.

A pre-conference meeting yesterday and a seminar today were expected to come up with specific ideas that could set the stage for discussion on an information and communication policy to respond to regional and international challenges in more effectively sensitising the public about the policies and programmes of Caricom.

Particular emphasis is to be focused on the role of information and communication technology in relation to efforts to the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) and also how integrated networking by government information services and the public and private sector media could enable the process.

The future of the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) with possible regional and international funding assistance is among agenda issues.

The agenda, a copy of which was obtained by the Observer, also includes discussion of proposals from the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU), one of the merged entities of the CMC and the development of pan-Caribbean radio and television channels to be financed from a Caribbean Broadcasting Fund.

But it was unclear how the CBU hopes to pursue its proposed initiative, if not within the framework of a resuscitated CMC as existed prior to its forced closure in January this year because of a serious financial problem.

Part of the package prepared for this week’s meetings of officials and ministers responsible for information and communications technology include a jargon-filled briefing paper that does not address specific issues in the arrangements for a more people-friendly information and communication environment.

Issues relating to the harmonisation of defamation laws and proposals by the Caribbean Music Expo Limited on the need for “political support and new thinking” to restructure the Caribbean media sector to better provide a platform for the promotion and expansion of Caribbean entertainment and culture are also on the agenda.

The ministerial meeting will conclude just a day before the opening on Thursday, May 16 of the Fifth Caribbean Media Conference, also in St John’s.

The minister of information of Antigua and Barbuda, who is expected to chair tomorrow’s ministerial meeting, has announced that he would no longer be addressing the opening session of the Caribbean Media Conference in protest against the production and circulation of a videotape by the Observer Group, host for the CMC event.

The tape contains interview with a girl, said to be around 14 years of age, that makes serious allegations against Prime Minister Lester Bird, who has since called for an apology from the Observer newspaper while legal action is also being pursued.