The World Press Freedom Index, published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), has reported that press freedom in Jamaica has been slipping for the last two years, alarming advocates and strengthening calls for legislative and institutional reform.

The RSF report identified several areas that raise concerns and are contributing to the slide — chief among them is a deteriorating relationship between the media and public institutions. The findings cite growing mistrust, a reduction in transparency, and increased economic vulnerability of newsrooms as factors that collectively erode public interest in journalism and threaten democratic accountability.

According to the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ), Jamaica still holds the second-highest ranking in the Caribbean and remains among the world’s top countries for press freedom. However, the PAJ said the downward trend is a stark warning.

The Jamaican Press Association is deeply concerned about a recent Supreme Court ruling in a defamation case against the Gleaner, the oldest newspaper in the Western Hemisphere.

The association believes the decision undermines the legal principles of qualified privilege, which protects journalists who fairly and accurately report on matters debated in parliament. “The use of the courts to sanction such reporting sends a chilling message to all journalists engaged in parliamentary reporting. It is a direct threat to freedom of expression and the media’s role as watchdog,” the PAJ warned.

The Jamaican Press Association also spotted long-standing legislative shortcomings, particularly the failure to update the country’s Access to Information (ATI) Act. The PAJ stated that the outdated law, excessive exemptions, and bureaucratic delays hamper the journalists’ ability to access crucial public data.

The association emphasized, “timely and transparent access to public information is the lifeblood of a free press. Without it, journalists face unnecessary hurdles in obtaining the facts, increasing their legal exposure and weakening the quality of public discourse.”

Beyond legislative reform, the PAJ raised broader structural issues that continue to pose threats to media independence. These include the concentration of media ownership, disproportionate reliance on state and private advertising revenues, and the rise of politically affiliated online entities that can distort the flow of information.

The PAJ calls for greater transparency in the allocation of state advertising, increased support for sustainable and independent journalism, and ongoing public education on media literacy and press freedom.

“Press freedom is not a static achievement – it is a continuous effort,” the PAJ stated. “Jamaica’s slipping on the World Press Freedom Index in the last two years must be taken seriously. The PAJ remains committed to working with government, civil society, and the international community to protect journalists’ rights and ensure that Jamaicans continue receiving accurate, timely, and independent news. A healthy democracy depends on it,” the Press Association of Jamaica stated.