Information Minister Pledges Support to JIS
February 15, 2012The Full Story
Minister with responsibility for Information, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer, has pledged her full support in enhancing the work of the Government’s news agency, the Jamaica Information Service (JIS).
Addressing staff members, following a tour of the entity’s head office at 58a Half-Way Tree Road, in Kingston, today (February 14), Senator Falconer said she, and by extension, the administration, understood the value of the agency’s work, which was greatly appreciated.
“Having a background in journalism and having worked in the field that many of you work in, I understand what you have to do. I certainly understand the value of the Jamaica Information Service to Jamaica and to Jamaicans, not only here in Jamaica, but certainly in the Diaspora. So, you are a very important part of what we do as a government…how we project ourselves as a nation. You are very, very important to us (because) you showcase every single thing that we do,” the Minister told the staff.
One particular area of support, Senator Falconer said, had to do with digitization, especially images in the Photography Unit. “We cannot afford to lose any of our historical data,” the Minister emphasised.
Senator Falconer said this was a priority, which would also relate to historical materials at the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica (PBCJ).
The Minister, who was making her first official visit to the JIS, since her portfolio appointment, said she had observed the “constraints” with which the staff had to work.
“There are certain things that you need, but you know that there is not a lot of money (and) as a government, things are tight. I’m not going to make any major promises, but I will work with (Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Donna-Marie Rowe) and the leadership team at the JIS, and I will lobby for you,” Senator Falconer said.
The Minister emphasised that in going forward, there is need to determine how best the agency can generate revenue from materials within its archives.
By Douglas McIntosh, JIS Reporter