Khoury

As the Government seeks to review Jamaica's libel laws, the Media Association of Jamaica (MAJ), in association with the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) and the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), will host a seminar on 'Press Freedom and Corruption Prevention' on Thursday, December 6.

Press freedom is critical to any democracy which champions the rights of the people and, therefore, certain issues in this area should be addressed before any effective programme on corruption prevention can be implemented, according to the organisers.

Defamation laws

The Government has established an 11-member committee to review Jamaica's defamation laws (which constitute the Libel and Slander Act of 1851, the Defamation Act of 1963, and the Common Law of England) as promised in the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) 2007 election manifesto.

The aim of next week's seminar is to produce a body of relevant knowledge regarding the practical implications of the current laws and practices as they apply to the local and regional media.

Speakers at the seminar, set for Mona Visitors' Lodge Conference Centre, will include experts from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Guyana and Jamaica. Among local speakers will be representatives from the public and private sectors. A panel of experts will also facilitate discussions from the floor during each session.

Mr. Edward Khoury of the MAJ and JCC noted that the seminar is perfectly positioned to stimulate further public dialogue on the laws in Jamaica and the region at this important juncture. Mr. Khoury, who is also the managing director of the Observer, added: "We look forward to attendees engaging our experts in incisive discussions."