CARICOM TARGETS JOURNALISTS TO SPREAD INTEGRATION MESSAGE

Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 28, 2014 (SKNIS): Encouragement to provide factual information on Caribbean regional integration was the message put forward by the CARICOM Secretariat which hosted a Broadcasters Regional Integration and CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) in Antigua recently.

To this end, the CARICOM Secretariat with funding from the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) invited approximately 30 Caribbean broadcasters to discuss issues including the future of CSME, free movement of skills, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), traditional media and social media as well as regional broadcasting and how the media can enhance information dissemination.

Salas Hamilton, CARICOM Secretariat Specialist Communications noted that much had occurred since the initial CSME media workshops held in 2010.   He noted that the regional economic entity is still a work in progress and that there are now additional CARICOM institutions, projects and processes to discuss.

“It is my personal view that the media has a role to play in developing this construct called CARICOM, especially since the media are also stakeholders,” Mr. Hamilton stated.  Regional Integration is a continuous process and as such, there will be new developments to engage broadcasters on.”

Ivor Carryl, CARICOM Secretariat CSME Unit Programme Manager made the link between CSME and the development of the region.

“I am one of those people who believe regional integration has and should play a central role in the evolution of Caribbean civilization, its development today and its long-term future.  But it appears that there are a number of people who continue to doubt the validity of this enterprise and its importance in both our development and our survival as an independent people.”