Dear Editor,

Every Jamaican should be concerned about developments concerning the upcoming national political debates.

The blacklisting of journalists from Nationwide News Network (NNN) challenges our democratic principles and is, to me, a blatant attempt at suppression of press freedom.

The concession to the demands of the People’s National Party to hand-pick journalists who can participate in the debates is dangerous. This undermines the independence of the debates commission and compromises the integrity of the very debates.

What is also concerning is the half-hearted response by the Press Association of Jamaica and the silence of civil society leaders, who have become very selective with their advocacy.

Jamaicans should stand united in denouncing any attempt to silence and intimidate the press. After all, an independent press is the bedrock of thriving democracies.

To the debates commission, it is not too late to pivot and make this right. The commission needs to reassert its authority and remove any whiff of political interference.

Jackie Wilks

Jamaican in Canada