Media survey
published: Tuesday | December 9, 2003

THE EDITOR, Sir:

IAN BOYNE deserves commendation for his most useful and informative article on the state of the media in Jamaica. Personally, I would add Barbara Gloudon's name to any list of journaliasts deserving kudoes for exemplary work. Ms. Gloudon's exemplary writing skills, and flair for communicating with the man-in-the-street as seen in her weekly column published in The Observer, are features not readily evident elsewhere. Sometimes many of today's writers appear to think that mainstream media in general, but especially the print media, exist for academics and intellelctuals. Gloudon is a rare exception.

I also note that Boyne chides the PAJ for limiting its annual journalism awards to those who submit their work to its panel of adjudicators. Unless things have changed in recent years, this is far from accurate, as many journalists and other media workers know very well. Additionally, only the most optimistic among those in the fraternity would expect that an association that most of the time depends on volunteer service, can provide the type of panel of monitors as described by Ian in his column.

Regardless, the Association has tried to do that over the years, with varying degrees of success. The weakness in the PAJ's awards programme has less to do with its monitoring strategy and more perhaps with its lack of success in recapturing the value placed on these awards by the fraternity whose professional interest it struggles to represent.

I am etc,

CLARE FORRESTER

forrestc@cpc.paho.org

C/O PAHO, Dayrells Rd,

Christ Church, Barbados

Via Go-Jamaica