THE Government yesterday moved to allay fears that it intended to establish a licensing regime for journalists.

This, after media group the Press Association of Jamaica on Wednesday warned Parliament that there would be fisticuffs if there was any such attempt.

The cautioning came during a meeting of the Human Resources and Social Development Committee where media managers and practitioners were called to own up to their “involvement” in pushing the gross lyrical material of rival dancehall artistes Mavado and Vybz Kartel.

PAJ member Irving Forbes, who was representing president Byron Buckley, said licensing would be an attack on the right to freedom of expression.

“Many who feel strongly that the media have contributed to our malignant conditions may go as far as recommending that the pool of journalists be controlled. We hope that Parliament does not share that view,” he said. “The Press Association of Jamaica would vociferously oppose any move to license journalists.”

Licensing of journalists has been famously used by dictatorial regimes, especially in South America, to clamp down on a free press and keep political opponents in check.

Forbes said the solution lies more in treating the root of the problem rather than vilifying media practitioners as while such actions might indeed stem the Gully/Gaza problems, it would not prevent another problem rising up to take its place.

Forbes, however, told the committee that steps were being made to self-regulate media practitioners and upgrade standards in journalism through training.

But the caution was no deterrent to Government committee member, Tarn Peralto, who, when given a chance to comment on the licence issue said: “It’s going to come. I can promise you that.”

According to Peralto, promoting lewd music would have to be treated in much the same way Government had moved to place a ban on tobacco smoking in public spaces.

Peralto said since it would prove difficult to control the source (artistes), it stood to reason that standards should be set to control those who disseminate the lyrics.

“Don’t play such lyrics in public spaces,” he warned.

Committee Chair Dr Fenton Ferguson was, however, quick to offer a disclaimer.

“The views of Mr Peralto (on licensing journalists) are not necessarily those of the Committee,” Ferguson said wryly.

Following further on the issue in a release to the media yesterday

Minister with Responsibility for Information, Daryl Vaz, said the government has no plans to establish any licensing regime for journalists.

Vaz said the government through the Broadcasting Commission has always had the responsibility for regulating the electronic media. He said however, that this has traditionally been undertaken in an atmosphere of mutual understanding with both parties meeting to establish a framework for operations.

Beyond this form of regulation, the Minister reiterated that there is no plan or intention on the part of the Government to license journalists.