MINISTER of Information Daryl Vaz today apologised to Sunday Herald journalist Christine King following a meeting convened to resolve their differences.

Organised by the Press Association of Jamaica and the Media Association of Jamaica, the meeting discussed an incident when King alleged that Vaz verbally abused her at a function in Montego Bay, St James last month. Vaz also expressed concern that the Herald has treated him unfairly and failed to give him a chance to respond to their articles about him.

King, the acting managing director of the Sunday Herald, denied this charge and maintained that the newspaper was always thorough in its investigations.

Despite their differences both parties agreed to work to improve relations between the minister and the media industry.

The Press Association and the Media Association updated the minister that a Code of Practice had been agreed by the two organisations and their members.

The associations agreed to continue discussions towards the early establishment of a Media Complaints Authority that will be able to monitor the ratified Code of Practice and enforce sanctions for breaches.

Head of the PAJ’s Advisory Council, Wyvolyn Gager, chaired the meeting which was attended by PAJ president Jenni Campbell, MAJ chairman Gary Allen, Vaz, King and Sunday Herald editor Desmond Richards.