- Text size
| 
| 
| 
- Email this document
- Printable version
| Title | Freedom of the Press - Jamaica (2002) |
| Publisher | Freedom House |
| Country | Jamaica |
| Publication Date | 22 April 2002 |
| Cite as | Freedom House, Freedom of the Press - Jamaica (2002), 22 April 2002, available at: http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4734506123.html [accessed 30 May 2012] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Freedom of the Press - Jamaica (2002)
Status: Free
Legal Environment: 3
Political Influences: 8
Economic Pressures: 6
Total Score: 17
Population: n/a
GNI/capita: n/a
Life Expectancy: 71
Religious Groups: n/a
Ethnic Groups: Black (91 percent), other, including white, Chinese, East Indian (9 percent)
Capital: Kingston
Jamaica enjoys a free press, and newspapers frequently criticize the establishment, despite the occasional intimidation of journalists during election campaigns. Rampant crime throughout the year did not directly influence the country's constitutional guarantees of press freedom, but inevitably caused journalists to cover some drug-related crime sensationally while self-censoring other aspects in self-defense. The major print and broadcast media are privately owned and report freely on non-crime-related issues. Libel and defamation laws carrying prison terms remain on the books, although they are rarely enforced. A Freedom of Information Act, still being drafted by the government, contains exemptions that would allow the government to withhold certain information.
Topics: Freedom of expression,
- Search
- Regions
- Countries