Canada’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, Her Excellency Laurie Peters, exhorted attendees at the opening of the fourth annual Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Technology (BACAT) Final Year Student Exhibition to “not explain but explore” and to “speak to what they know.” Her Excellency gave the keynote address at the function which took place on the Papine campus of the University of Technology Jamaica, on World Press Freedom Day, Thursday, May 3. Ms Peters commended Jamaica on their remarkable placement in the latest World Press Freedom Index, which saw them being named above the likes of the United States and The United Kingdom. “I’d like to congratulate Jamaica on their 2018 World ranking of 6th in the latest Press Freedom Index,” adding that “It is the highest ranking of a Caribbean nation since 2002.”
Also in attendance was broadcasting journalist and Secretary of the Press Association of Jamaica Archibald Gordon, who was the function’s Master of Ceremonies. He used the platform to express a few concerns about modern journalism both in Jamaica and around the world. Mr. Gordon focused on the importance of investigative journalism and the relevance it still holds in today’s society. He recalled the recent news reporting of ten journalists who were killed in Kabul, Afghanistan earlier this week and stated how many journalists put their lives at risk in a quest to unearth the truth. A minute’s silence was subsequently held in remembrance of these journalists.
The event showcased the talent of the final year BACAT students and is an interesting preview of what Jamaica’s creative industry will be like in a few years to come. Students from the faculty as well as from specially invited schools such as Mona High and Holy Childhood High were in attendance.