Perspective: PAJ Pleased to Hear of OPM Plan for Press Briefings

Perspective

We are delighted that there appears to be ongoing dialogue and a resolution seems to be in p!ace. It is unfortunate that it took a very public spat before firm commitment to improve the situation of press conferences or lack there as highlighted by the PAJ and responded to by the OPM.

We cannot treat this matter lightly as the previous government under Portia Simpson Miller and her shortsighted handlers like Sandrea Faulkner et al. These handlers were of the view, it would appear, to shield the head of Government/State from the media. That was Portia Simpson Miller as PM.

PM Andrew Holiness has been quite accessible although not perfect … but certainly much better than previous holders of this position. The present Press Secretary Naomi Francis cannot be accused of shielding PM Holiness … certainly not yet.

Public Release

It is unfortunate that the PAJ release to the Office Of The Prime Minister (OPM). was made so public so quickly after the dispatch. For the records the letter was sent on Friday last and made public by Saturday or so. The OPM did acknowledge the PAJ’s letter immediately … Dionne Jackson Miller, PAJ president … so the apparent indecent/haste or impatience in not giving a reasonable time for a response and or action by the OPM is inexcusable. In releasing the letter and by extention its contents so quickly, appears to be a bit hasty or in street talk “jumpy”. THIS WAS NOT GOOD.

The substance is sound and appropriate it is the methodology that the PAJ can be flawed for acting too hastily.

Let us focus on substance and not the form.

We hope good will come from this dialogue and it appears to be the direction that things are heading …a resolution at least.

Let us wait and see what unfolds as promised in 2017.

Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is Senior International Correspondent & Photojournalist for Vision Newspaper Canada.