Dear Editor,

It is rather disappointing that The Jamaica Observer on Monday March 6, 2017 should have given space to a final year student of Journalism at NCU, Ms Sasha Rowe, to publish such a baseless un-researched letter; “Keeping the GG not in Jamaica’s interest.”

It is distressing to think that a person whose letter reflected such limited investigation and a lack of balance and logic should be given space, considering her intent to be a member of the powerful Fourth Estate.

It is to be observed that Ms Rowe:

• Has not seen a copy of the actual budget.

• Calculations are inaccurate — $225 billion from $710 billion leaves $485 billion not millions — perhaps she is confounded by the figures.

• Is not aware that the entire operation of the constitutional office known as King’s House consumes only 0.03 per cent of the entire national budget.

• Is not aware of all the many functions carried out by the Governor General and his office, including significant community outreach across the length and breadth of Jamaica and the Diaspora.

If the mainstream media were more helpful maybe Ms Rowe would have been more informed, but this constitutional office gets little or none at all of the time and space made available for government broadcasts/information.

Nonetheless, potential journalists need to hone skills, which requires one to check, double check and recheck information or facts before making public statements.

Office of the Governor-General