Featured stories about Jamaica
Stories about Jamaica
12 June 2018
Could Jamaica's Data Protection Act shield politicians from journalistic scrutiny?
"This Bill [...] does not adequately distinguish gathering ‘data’ for journalistic activities from gathering data for regular commercial purposes [which] may have a chilling effect on press freedom."
7 May 2018
‘Get involved in your communities': An American woman who fought for justice urges stronger activism
"I think the police need to be held accountable. Without accountability, there is no justice. That’s the biggest problem, no one is ever accountable."
16 April 2018
School history assignment stirs up a storm in Jamaica over how slavery should be taught
"Now to the assignment at hand, would Hillel have asked on an assignment about World War 2 to come up with ways for Nazi Germany to annihilate the Jewish people?"
14 April 2018
Jamaican Reaction to Trinidad Buggery Law Ruling is Predictably Mixed
"It is easier to break the chains of the law than those of the mind. Bigotry is Herculean."
Jamaican Dancehall Star Buju Banton's Impending Release from Prison Sparks Renewed Controversy
"If Banton[...]retracted his hideous views on homosexuality and sought to amend the damage he has done to men and women across the Caribbean, he would be worthy of a platform."
28 March 2018
A Journey for Justice in the Americas, Part 1: Three Women Tell Their Stories in Kingston, Jamaica
"To stop [my activism] would mean that I am giving another police officer permission to kill another of my brothers, or anyone else for that matter."
19 March 2018
A Respected Ceramicist and a Skilled Novelist: Jamaica Loses Two Much-Loved Creatives in Two Days
"Jamaica, we mourn the passing of sculptor Gene Pearson and writer Garfield Ellis. But we will celebrate them always."
28 February 2018
‘Ready to Reckon With the Colonizing World, Daring It to Try’ — What the ‘Black Panther’ Film Means to Trinidad & Tobago
"Black Panther is sublime. Not because it's a perfect narrative. No such thing exists. [...] It's sublime because it's an ardent vehicle for black joy."
8 February 2018
As the World Celebrates Bob Marley Day, Reggae is Changing and So Are Its Fans
"Consciousness and liberation are some of the messages we expect from Rasta, unfortunately, it [appears] Rasta has lost its value locally and as an agent of change in our society."
3 February 2018
It Is Not Only LGBT Jamaicans Who Welcome the Government's Ban of Controversial U.S. Preacher
"The Caribbean region has had a long history of oppressive teachings in the name of church and evangelism. We now need to facilitate healing and protection from further division [...]"
1 February 2018
Jamaicans Call for Tougher Anti-Crime Measures as Yet Another Police Commissioner Resigns
"All eyes will be on the Police Service Commission as it prepares Jamaica for an uncertain future."
20 January 2018
State of Emergency Over Worsening Crime Has Some Jamaicans Relieved — But Is It an Effective Approach?
Is a state of emergency "making progress", or is it a shot in the dark as Jamaica grapples with addressing the social and economic inequity that fuels violent crime?
13 January 2018
This Week in the Caribbean: From ‘Shithole’ Comments to ‘Wining’ Laws
This week, Caribbean netizens rail against the US president's "shithole" comment, discuss violent crime in Jamaica and debate the new "wining" law that will impact Trinidad and Tobago Carnival.
12 January 2018
Does Free Speech Mean Free to Preach Hate? An American Fundamentalist Pastor Tests Jamaica’s Limits
"Allowing this American pastor into Jamaica, and giving him platforms at schools to spread his lies would threaten the fundamental rights of Jamaican women, children, and LGBT people."
Post-Earthquake Tsunami Scare in the Caribbean Region Highlights a Shaky Range of Preparedness
"I want to know, now what? How will these alerts be communicated to the citizenry that's not on Social Media? This is quite sobering I tell you."
5 January 2018
Jamaican Police Under Pressure After New Year's Party Delays International Flights
"There will be calls for an inquiry. For accountability. Blame will be shifted. Promises will be made. There is one step, however, that we rarely take. Questioning the ‘WHY?’. "
2 January 2018
Despite Challenges, Jamaica’s Capital City Welcomes 2018 With a Dash of Optimism
While clouds linger, it appears that Kingston is determined to look on the sunny side of life in 2018.
31 December 2017
If You Spent 2017 in the Caribbean, This Was The Kind of Year You Had
2017 was a bit like a rollercoaster for the Caribbean archipelago, complete with incredible highs and stomach-churning lows.
19 December 2017
Jamaicans Mourn the Passing of a Media Icon Who Celebrated Achievement in the Face of Adversity
"Ian’s contribution to media is admirable and represents the power of good journalism. He distinguished himself as a fair, fearless and balanced commentator. I consider his passing a great loss."
Wildlife Sanctuary Announcement Is the Icing on the Christmas Cake for Jamaica's Environmental Campaigners
An environmentally sensitive area initially pegged to be a megaport development will now be transformed into a wildlife sanctuary intended to protect the critically endangered Jamaican Iguana.
