Count Jacques Rogge (right), president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), makes a courtesy call on Governor-General, Professor Kenneth Hall at King's House yesterday. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer

The media blockade imposed by the governing People's National Party continued yesterday when some members of the print and electronic media were barred from entering Jamaica House about midday, while International Olympic Committee (IOC) President, Count Jacques Rogge, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller.

Reporters and photographers who turned up at the Hope Road gate shortly before noon were told by a policeman that he had received instructions to deny entry to the private media.

A Gleaner photographer and crew from Radio Jamaica and Television Jamaica were among those who were not allowed entry. Subsequent checks revealed that two local photographers, one contracted to the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) for the visit of the IOC boss and another who works for the Associated Press were earlier allowed in to cover the event.

Contacted yesterday, the Prime Minister's Press Secretary, Lincoln Robinson, expressed surprise.

"There is no policy to block media from Jamaica House," Robinson said.

"The event was down for limited photographic coverage by the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) but a quick call to my office (by the security men) would have been enough to get permission for entry. I have been told that a photographer from the Jamaica Observer was present for the event."

President of the JOA, Mike Fennell, commented on the matter briefly, shortly after the IOC president had a meeting with veteran Olympian Herb McKenley at the head office of the JOA.

Fennell said he did not know what the reasons were for blocking some members of the press from the courtesy call on the Prime Minister.

Full Coverage

"I wanted full coverage. That's all I can say ... I do not know what the reasons are ..." said Fennell.

Members of the ruling party have been at loggerheads with the press recently following the publication of a photograph of the Prime Minister doodling during a recent sitting of Parliament. House Speaker Michael Peart has since barred reporters from the section of the gallery reserved for Hansard writers overlooking government benches in Parliament.