Dear Mr Pickersgill:

The Executive of the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) views with great alarm threats issued against several journalists and media houses at the meeting of the National Executive Council of the People's National Party (PNP) held at the University of the West Indies on Sunday.

While we note the attempts by PNP officials to address the situation on the ground, it is troubling to the local media fraternity that persons attached to a 70-odd-year-old political organisation, that has formed the government on several occasions, believe they are at liberty to harass journalists carrying out their legitimate duties. Journalists must be free to conduct their normal activities without fear.

Enviable record

Jamaica has achieved an enviable record of press freedom on the international stage, which the behaviour displayed by PNP supporters on Sunday threatens to sully.

Against this background, the PAJ is demanding that the leadership of the PNP send a clear message to its supporters that it does not approve of the attack mounted against the media.

I am, etc.,

Byron Buckley

PAJ President