KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC:
CARIBBEAN AND international journalists will later this week discuss the ongoing row between the Jamaica reggae music industry and gay activists, who have expressed outrage over lyrics that they say incite violence against homosexuals.
The issue will be discussed at the first Caribbean Media Exchange workshop on November 19.
Dubbed 'CMExPress', the one-day workshop will also be attended by officials of the island's vital tourism industry.
CAMPAIGN TO SEEK AND DESTROY
Jamaica's Minister of Tourism Aloun N'dombet Assamba has already called on persons to prove the allegation that there is a systematic campaign in Jamaica "to seek out homosexuals to destroy them".
"I will say, bring me the proof of this," she told journalists in London last week, even as she acknowledged that some of the offending musicians have shown remorse and have pledged to be less offensive.
A report released here yesterday by Human Rights Watch says widespread violence and discrimination against gay men and people living with HIV/AIDS in Jamaica is undermining
government measures to combat the country's fast-growing epidemic.
"This is clearly a contentious issue and we want to see if we can find solutions to solve the impasse which is affecting both the music and tourism industry in the region," said Lelei LeLaulu, president of Counterpart International, producers of CMExPress.
In addition to tackling the current controversy, CMExPress will also examine traditional topics, such as the link between tourism and natural disasters, health, agriculture, the environment and the World Cup 2007 Cricket.
