(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) His Excellency Edwin Carrington has stated that he knows of no plans by the Community or its Secretariat to license journalists.

The Secretary-General said he made this “absolutely clear” to President of the Association of Caribbean Mediaworkers, Mr. Wesley Gibbings, in a conversation earlier this week.

The discussion arose out of concerns raised by journalists following a statement made by a Secretariat official during a broadcasters’ workshop on the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) organised by the Secretariat and held in Saint Lucia two weeks ago. The official spoke on the model legislation with respect to Professional Services which is aimed at ensuring a smooth operation of the free movement of skills and services in the Single Market.

The Secretary-General said that journalists were among the first categories singled out by Heads of Government in the Grand Anse Declaration of 1989 to be allowed the facility of free movement. He stated that since those early days there had been discussions with representatives of journalists associations related to the definition of a journalist, in order to facilitate the wishes of the Heads of Government.

“All discussions have been related to criteria for acceptance as a journalist to ensure that bona fide journalists were the beneficiaries of free movement. There has never been any discussion about licensing,” the Secretary-General added.

“The media is a vital partner in the advancement of the regional integration process and their continued responsible reporting, analysis and commentary are valued in going forward,” the Secretary-General said.