For two days in July, in partnership with the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU), the CBA ran an event in Jamaica called ‘CBA Live in Kingston’. This consisted of three components – a workshop, a reception and a panel-discussion filmed for television – all exploring the role media plays in a democracy.
Twenty broadcast journalists from ten Caribbean countries participated in the workshop, which was facilitated by Sian Kevill, former Director BBC World News and Editor of BBC’s Newsnight programme, and Claude Robinson, Lecturer, author and columnist on the Caribbean Media. Guest speakers included: Jenni Campbell, President of the Press Association of Jamaica, who explained why journalism matters in a democracy; Hon. Daryl Vaz, Minister with responsibility for Information, who gave a politicians view on journalism and politics; and Wyvolyn Gager, Former Editor-in-chief of The Gleaner and one-half of the Independent Refereeing Panel which monitored the 2006 elections in Guyana, who provided tips on covering elections. The workshop was very animated and engaged and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
The reception was well attended by Jamaica’s media leaders and opinion formers. An insightful keynote address on the role of the media in combating corruption and strengthening governance from Professor Trevor Munroe captured the room’s attention. That evening, the CBU’s Secretary-General, Patrick Cozier, was inducted into the CBA Roll of Honour – which is given to individuals who have served their organisations, the CBA and the principles of Public Service Broadcasting. As with the workshop, this event was well covered in the local and regional media.
July 18 to 19 2011
Supported by the Caribbean Broadcasting Union, CPTC, CVM, Lime, TVJ and Unesco.
New Media, Journalism and Democracy in the Caribbean is the title of the television programme produced by the CBA as part of this Jamaican event. It contains discussions about whether traditional media is still relevant and also examines the effect of new media on traditional media, journalism and democracy. The programme was hosted by Janice Budd, Associate Editor – Sunday at Jamaica Observer, and the panellists were: Mark Beckford, Online Co-ordinator, The Jamaica Gleaner Newspaper; Annie Paul, Publications Editor, UWI Mona; Karyl Walker, Online News Editor, the Jamaica Observer Newspaper; and Dr. Paul Ashley, Attorney-at-law, Political Commentator. The studio audience included broadcasters from around the Caribbean as well as media students from CARIMAC and Northern Caribbean University. Copies of this programme have been distributed to participating CBA members and will soon be broadcast throughout the Caribbean. There is also an audio only version of the programme for radio. Download (MP3)
DOCUMENTS
Downloads (PDF)
– Workshop Takeaway Notes
Sian Kevill, Former Director BBC World News and Editor of BBC’s Newsnight programme
– Why journalism matters in a democracy?
July 18th | Jenni Campbell, President of the Press Association of Jamaica
– Journalism and Politics: A Politician’s view
July 18th | Daryl Vaz, Minister with Responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Office of the Prime Minister
– Opening Remarks
July 18th | Kay Osborne, Board Member, CBA and General Manager, TV Jamaica
– The role of the media in combating corruption and strengthening governance
July 18th | Professor Trevor Munroe
– Patrick Cozier honoured at ‘CBA: Live in Kingston’
July 19th | Press Release
– 20 Tips for Election Coverage
July 19th | Wyvolyn Gager, Former Editor-in-chief of The Gleaner, and one-half of the Independent Refereeing Panel which monitored the 2006 elections in Guyana
Newspaper Articles
– CBA: Live in Kingston: Media in Democracy
Da Vibes Friday July 15, 2011
The Gleaner Sunday July 17, 2011
– CBA, CBU Media in Democracy workshop opens this morning
Jamaica Observer Monday July 18, 2011
– Media under microscope at ‘CBA Live’
Jamaica Observer Monday July 18, 2011
– Address by Minister Daryl Vaz, to CBA/CBU Seminar ‘Journalism and Politics: A Politician’s view’
Jamaica Information Service Tuesday July 19, 2011
– Be fair to politicians, Vaz tells media
The Gleaner Tuesday July 19, 2011
Northern Caribbean University News Tuesday July 19, 2011
– Vaz urges Press Association of Jamaica to set up promised Watchdog Council
Jamaica Information Service Tuesday July 19, 2011
– Gov’t proud of Jamaica’s press freedom rating
Jamaica Observer Wednesday July 20, 2011
– Photographic Highlight of the CBA Live in Kingston banquet
Jamaica Observer Wednesday July 20, 2011
The Trinidad Guardian Wednesday July 20, 2011
The Gleaner Thursday July 21, 2011
– Vaz laments absence of media complaints body
Jamaica Observer Thursday July 21, 2011
The Gleaner Friday July 22, 2011
The Gleaner Sunday July 24, 2011
– Journalists are citizens too
Jamaica Observer Sunday July 24, 2011