KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) has expressed concern that the country has slipped two places on the 2025 World Press Freedom Index.

According to a recently released report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Jamaica is now ranked 26th on the World Press Freedom Index, down from the 24th position held in 2024.

READ: Jamaica moves up eight places on World Press Freedom index

In a statement on Friday, the PAJ stressed that while the country remains among the top-ranked globally and second in the Caribbean, the downward trend is a wake-up call that should not be ignored.

“It is important to recall that the country once held a top 10 position, reaching an all-time high of sixth place in 2020. That decline over the last five years underscores the urgent need for meaningful interventions to preserve the gains made and strengthen our commitment to press freedom,” the PAJ said.

It noted that the RSF report highlights a troubling erosion in the relationship between the media and public institutions, especially the state. The report cited growing mistrust, limited transparency and increased economic vulnerability among newsrooms. These trends threaten to undermine public interest journalism and democratic accountability, the PAJ said.

The association noted in particular the recent Supreme Court ruling in a defamation case against The Gleaner which it said raises serious concerns about how journalists will continue to benefit from legal protections that have long undergirded effective, timely and responsible coverage of parliamentary proceedings.

It said this move undermines the long-established legal defence of the principle of qualified privilege, which protects journalists who fairly and accurately report on matters discussed in Parliament.

“The use of the courts to sanction such reporting sends a chilling message to all journalists engaged in parliamentary reporting. It is a direct threat to freedom of expression and the media’s role as watchdog,” the PAJ explained.

The association further pointed to the failure to update the Access to Information (ATI) Act which it deemed a major structural weakness affecting press freedom in Jamaica. It said for years, the PAJ and civil society have called for a revised law that reflects the current digital age, limits bureaucratic delay and removes excessive exemptions but said that despite repeated promises, the review remains stalled.

“Timely and transparent access to public information is the lifeblood of a free press. Without it, journalists face unnecessary hurdles in obtaining the facts, increasing their legal exposure and weakening the quality of public discourse,” the PAJ said.

In light of this, the association is therefore urging the government to expedite the tabling and debate of the revised ATI legislation; commit to reducing turnaround times on ATI requests; equip all public authorities with the training and resources to comply; and introduce sanctions for unjustified refusals or delays.

Beyond legislation, the PAJ said Jamaica must also guard against other pressures that compromise media independence. It pointed to a concentration of media ownership, heavy reliance on advertising from state and private entities, and the rise of politically affiliated online voices which it said can distort the information landscape.

The association further called for greater transparency in state advertising allocation; support for sustainable, independent journalism; and continued education on media literacy and press freedom.

“Press freedom is not a static achievement—it is a continuous effort. Jamaica’s slip in the World Press Freedom Index must be taken seriously. The PAJ remains committed to working with government, civil society, and the international community to protect the rights of journalists and to ensure that Jamaicans continue to receive accurate, timely, and independent news. A healthy democracy depends on it,” it said.