POLITICAL Ombudsman Donna Parchment Brown has commended the Jamaica Debates Commission for its work in organising the two debates on local government, which she said will give the public insight into the local governance process.

The debates, she added, should also give an idea how the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) plan to improve the lives of Jamaicans.

“I’m very happy that we are going to be having debates and that there will be participation by the two major parties. The local authorities are extremely important… I’m pleased that the debates commission has laid out what the duties of the local authorities are. It is very good for the public to understand how the Government is structured and how we get things done. Also, there is an opportunity to grade the parties on their participation in the debate and also to write down what our hopes are for local government and to say to what extent the debates have helped to understand [where the parties stand] on those issues,” Parchment Brown told the

Jamaica Observer yesterday in an interview at her Duke Street offices.

The political ombudsman, who today marks one year in the often-criticised post, said, too, that the debates will serve as a public education and public engagement platform which will “give the parties an opportunity to give us a really good idea of what they are about; I think the debates are absolutely wonderful”.

The first of two debates between representatives of the JLP and the PNP is scheduled for 9:00 pm today at the Creative Production and Training Centre in Kingston. The forum will be broadcast live on radio and television, and streamed live on the Internet. The second debate is scheduled for Wednesday, November 23. Senior journalists will pose questions pertinent to various areas of the local governance process to councillor candidates, mayors, and the local government minister, Senator Desmond McKenzie.

Meanwhile, the political ombudsman noted the work of the Jamaican media in bringing stories on electoral matters to the public’s attention, particularly the issues surrounding last February’s general election, and matters surrounding the campaigns of both political parties.

“Jamaica’s media has been very helpful to the public, certainly in this year. They have covered a number of stories and provided information to the public,” she said, stressing that although public offices such as hers are fully on board with the social media age, traditional media are still the best sources of authentic information. “The confidence that we have in the traditional media must continue to be underpinned by quality, timely, and honest reporting,” she stated.

This week’s Sunday Observer takes an in-depth look at the work of the political ombudsman during the past year, her reflections on the country’s political system, and the way forward.

— Alphea Saunders