Perspective: Who is Naomi Francis? and is she Is suited For The Job?

Perspective

As the spat between the Press Association Of Jamaica (PAJ) and the Office Of The Prime Minister regarding access and press conferences escalate … one actor who has been caught up in this is Naomi Francis, the newly minted Press Secretary who assumed office a few months ago. Her appointment took many by surprise. We were not aware such a vacancy existed, and therefore was in need of being filled. Before Ms. Francis could settle down … she is caught up in a row over the PM’s media focus/access.

Defense

Ms. Francis said inter that there is a “media strategy” that is being followed as scripted. She was mounting a strong defense of the PM’s approach to the media. Hope my understanding is accurate.

The PM, based on what is being said has apparently decided to “focus” on social media for mass appeal.

Free

Where freeness exist some think it is folly to resist as the price is invariably right under such circumstances.

Well, we have no evidence to support our assertion but as we are not in a Court of Law and only the court of public opinion, we have more latitude in the latter arena.

Who is Naomi Francis?

Naomi Francis is a well known journalist with enviable credentials. Well qualified on paper and has had a good grounding as a field reporter.

Is She Suited For The Job?

This is a difficult question to answer, well for starters she (Naomi Francis) never served in a similar position to allow for objective analysis or comparison. It is almost impossible to assess her suitability. Time will tell, eh!

Ms. Francis did do PR for a cellular/phone company for a while after leaving mainstream media. Was this enough exposure?

Personal

The undersigned has been in the trenches with Ms. Francis and has found her to be a good colleague. She seem to have grown in recent times and is quite approachable. Will she get contaminated in her most recent job as Press Secretary to the PM? Time will tell. Those positions seem to impact negatively their holders. How you balance the demands of the job and the expectations of the journalists/news rooms with whom you must interact is quite a chore. It is a challenge in the best of times.

The recent spat with the PAJ has tested her resolve. The jury is still out as to her response.

She came across smooth and very articulate … but was she credible? This is not a job for the faint of heart as mortality/longevity could be fragile.

We wish Ms. Naomi Francis all the success … please do not allow yourself to be haunted by the Ghost of Sandrea Faulkner et al. Do not emulate such a performance. You may not be lucky to survive a week.

Be advised that although we enjoy sound working relations, we do not take prisoners.

Let us hear from you … please feel free to disagree with our perspective. The verdict as usual is yours.

Perspective is written Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie who is Senior International Correspondent & photojournalist for Vision Newspaper Canada.