Dear Editor,

It is an undisputed fact that the Jamaican media landscape has for a long time had PNP functionaries and supporters. This is well known in media circles and it is hypocritical for us to deny this historical fact.

Indeed, the late Carl Stone noted in his book, “Class State and Democracy in Jamaica” that the Jamaican media was biased in favour of the PNP.

Stone listed other organisations such as the Jamaica Teachers’ Association, Jamaica Agricultural Society, and the Jamaica Council of Churches (once famously described as the PNP at prayer) as sympathisers of the PNP, and who play a strategic role in shaping public opinion. It is fair to say that in some respects such organisations have been at the forefront of the system of political tribalism that has engulfed Jamaica over the years. The historical records therefore lend strong and credible support to Mr Seiveright’s comments on media bias in Jamaica.

Those media managers and practitioners who wish to deny this fact should indicate when the links were broken or run the risk of being condemned as downright dishonest and hypocritical.

Fabian Williams

fabian_june2006@yahoo.com