Index 2024
24/ 180
Score : 77.3
Political indicator
43
66.39
Economic indicator
17
70.31
Legislative indicator
49
72.60
Social indicator
13
84.97
Security indicator
20
92.25
Index 2023
32/ 180
Score : 75.89
Political indicator
43
67.75
Economic indicator
19
71.37
Legislative indicator
65
68.49
Social indicator
23
86.59
Security indicator
39
85.24
In the past two decades, freedom of the press as a whole has continued to improve in Jamaica. However, there is a growing gulf of distrust between government officials and the media that has contributed to a decline in institutional respect for press freedom.
Media landscape
Broadcast media are commercial and convey a variety of viewpoints, and the country’s main newspapers – Jamaica Observer, Jamaica Gleaner and Jamaica Star – are privately owned. The government has no stake in the vast majority of local media and Jamaica remains very well positioned in terms of content independence.
Political context
Although Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has praised the country's press freedom record and repeatedly stated his commitment to uphold it, he has also previously suggested that journalists do not have to stick to the facts or truth, and that a free press enables journalists to “take whatever stance they want”.
Legal framework
Jamaican officials drew criticism at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic when government restrictions were seen as hampering the work of journalists at a time when there was a strong need for reliable information. The Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ), along with editors and executives from the country’s major media outlets, called on the prime minister to rescind public lockdown orders that prevented TV and radio presenters, reporters, camera operators, technicians and other media professionals from moving around freely.
Economic context
The private media sector has experienced significant growth due to the development of trade in a growing local economy, which has created an advertising market.
Sociocultural context
The Jamaican free press often openly criticizes officials, and journalists have occasionally reported intimidation while doing their work, particularly ahead of an election.
Safety
Physical attacks are rare, but they do happen. A gunman opened fire in the parking lot of Nationwide Radio’s Kingston offices in September 2023, fortunately hurting nobody. A videographer for Television Jamaica and a reporter for the Jamaica Gleaner were attacked in November 2022 while covering a teachers’ protest in St. Catherine Parish outside Kingston when a man interrupted their interview and damaged their equipment. Reporters must continue to measure the threat posed to them by the country’s high crime rate when they are investigating a sensitive subject.
