THE Press Association (PAJ) of Jamaica will have a number of activities throughout November in celebration of Journalism Month, instead of marking the traditional Journalism Week.

PAJ president Desmond Richards, who outlined plans for Journalism Month at a press conference at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston last Friday, said the activities will include a three-day seminar on investigative journalism, slated for November 19 -21, in Ocho Rios, St Ann.

“The Press Association of Jamaica believes that we must work to lower or reduce the risk associated with investigative journalism as well as to advocate and lobby (for the removal of the) libel laws,” Richards said.

He also announced that two prizes may be awarded for this year’s journalism awards for investigative journalism.

Following on the heels of the seminar, which will also look at the Freedom of Information Act, will be the launch of the Ocho Rios branch of the PAJ.

“This is a move to broaden and widen our membership base,” the PAJ president said.

PAJ members will give thanks for the work of journalism at a church service to be held at the Faith Cathedral Deliverance

Centre on November 14, while the annual veteran’s luncheon will be held on November 24 at J Wray and Nephew’s Hospitality Room in Kingston.

Veterans -Dorraine Samuels, Jennifer Grant, Alan Magnus and David Ebanks – are among five honorees who will be recognised at the function.

The annual awards dinner/presentation is scheduled for the Medallion Hall Hotel on December 2. A new category – The Ken Dawson Award for Videography, has been added to the list. Nominations close on November 10.

Richards announced a number of fundraising events to be held during the month. Among them is a ‘sports forum’ on November 10, and a masters and celebrity cricket match between the PAJ and Jamalco on December 5. For the latter, a female journalist each will be on both sides. Sports journalist Dahlia Harris was named as the PAJ’s representative.

Meanwhile, Ralston Hyman, assistant secretary/treasurer reported the PAJ has over the past year been able to improve its financial position.

“We had a deficit of $1.2 million and we turned it around to generate a net income of $450,000, on revenues of 2.5 million. That is after paying out prizes of almost a million dollars and purchasing significant shares in RJR, the Gleaner Company, Cable & Wireless, Jamaica Broilers and Kingston Wharves, as well as refurbishing our headquarters at 5 East Avenue,” Hyman said.