Minister with responsibility for information Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon has described as unacceptable recent political attacks on the local media.

According to Morris Dixon, the Andrew Holness-led Administration is committed to press freedom and everything it has done has demonstrated that.

She pointed to the weekly post-Cabinet media briefings as indicative of the Government’s support for a free media.

“We come here every Wednesday, invite the media, we bring ministers out, we take every question — whether they are hard or easy — we take them. We don’t want to run away from the media.

“We believe that the media is absolutely important to democracy, very, very important, and so we support the media…I know you spoke about attacks on the media, that is never ever acceptable at all. The media is very important and they play an important role in our society,” said Morris Dixon in response to questions from the Jamaica Observer.

Morris Dixon did not speak directly to claims by Member of Parliament for St Catherine South Western, the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) Everald Warmington, at a political meeting on Sunday that the media and the PNP (People’s National Party) are trying to destroy Holness.

Nor did she address the recent allegation by PNP president and Opposition Leader Mark Golding, at his party’s annual conference, that there are “JLP-aligned media houses”.

But she hinted at concerns over an artificial intelligence (AI) generated video circulating online that falsely accuses the chairman of the RJR/Gleaner Group of directing editorial policy, and linked journalists at The Gleaner to the PNP.

“In terms of what we see on social media that’s an issue and our prime minister has been on the record saying that we have to look at social media and look at what is said and what is posted and we have seen it exacerbated with AI,” said Morris Dixon.

She argued that while technology is beautiful when used for good, it can also be used for very negative things, “And I think that the conversation that our prime minister tried to start about social media and what we say on social media, and having accountability about what is said on social media is something that we really do have to look at”.

“I again reiterate the importance of the media, the importance that we do not attack the media as they do their very legitimate work…They are doing their jobs even if it is a hard question, they are doing their jobs.

“And so, this Administration is very, very, very sure that we support the media and will continue to support that media because we believe that a country that is truly committed to democracy is one that supports the media and does not put up with anything that undermines the role of the media,” added Morris Dixon.

The Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) has indicated that it is “deeply concerned” over false claims made by supporters of the island’s two main political parties linking sections of media to either of the two.

The PAJ has argued that these claims could have deeper implications for the profession and those who work as media professionals.

“The PAJ reminds the public that a free press is essential to holding those in power accountable and ensuring transparency and accountability. We will not stand idly by while our members face harassment, intimidation, or smear campaigns,” said the organisation.

“We urge all Jamaicans to join us in condemning this attack on press freedom and reaffirming our commitment to a free and independent media,” the PAJ added.