Dear Editor,
Some people commenting on the case involving Television Jamaica’s 18 Degrees North documentary and Prime Minister Andrew Holness suggested that he should not pursue the matter after the recent lifting of the injunction by Justice Chester Stamp that prevented the airing of the documentary for a second time. They urge the prime minister to abandon the libel court case in the interest of press freedom. I find this mind-boggling!
Why would Holness abandon the case when it has been stated that there are several inaccuracies or speculations contained in that so-called documentary?
What was the purpose, aim and objective of that documentary?
Although I am a People’s National Party (PNP) member and politician, justice should always be done despite which party one belongs to. Why should Holness withdraw the court case when he feels that he was libelled. Let the court decide.
Prime Minister Holness is entitled to justice, as does each and every Jamaican citizen. His belief in and support for press freedom is not weakened by this.
As a citizen, I believe that he should not abandon the court case and should have his lawyers proceed full pace as justice must not only be done, but must manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done.
This case would be an interesting and a landmark one.
Don’t forget, journalism comes with responsibility.
One of the main reasons the PNP lost the general election was because then party campaign manager Dr Peter Phillips kept harping on Holness’s house. I make no apologies here. That focus by Phillips and Delano Franklyn during the general election campaign was a serious political mistake and disgraceful from my perspective.
Frank L R Manborde, MBA
Grange Hill PO, Westmoreland
frankmanborde@mail.com
Some people commenting on the case involving Television Jamaica’s 18 Degrees North documentary and Prime Minister Andrew Holness suggested that he should not pursue the matter after the recent lifting of the injunction by Justice Chester Stamp that prevented the airing of the documentary for a second time. They urge the prime minister to abandon the libel court case in the interest of press freedom. I find this mind-boggling!
Why would Holness abandon the case when it has been stated that there are several inaccuracies or speculations contained in that so-called documentary?
What was the purpose, aim and objective of that documentary?
Although I am a People’s National Party (PNP) member and politician, justice should always be done despite which party one belongs to. Why should Holness withdraw the court case when he feels that he was libelled. Let the court decide.
Prime Minister Holness is entitled to justice, as does each and every Jamaican citizen. His belief in and support for press freedom is not weakened by this.
As a citizen, I believe that he should not abandon the court case and should have his lawyers proceed full pace as justice must not only be done, but must manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done.
This case would be an interesting and a landmark one.
Don’t forget, journalism comes with responsibility.
One of the main reasons the PNP lost the general election was because then party campaign manager Dr Peter Phillips kept harping on Holness’s house. I make no apologies here. That focus by Phillips and Delano Franklyn during the general election campaign was a serious political mistake and disgraceful from my perspective.
Frank L R Manborde, MBA
Grange Hill PO, Westmoreland
frankmanborde@mail.com