(Jamaica Gleaner) The Office of the Prime Minister has intervened in the issue surrounding the treatment of local media personnel who will be covering the arrival of Prince Harry.
Local journalists were angered yesterday after it was revealed that members of the foreign press would have been given preferential treatment.
At a press conference yesterday, it was revealed that local media personnel would be required to carry his or her own safety vest to go on the tarmac at the Norman Manley International Airport for the arrival of Prince Harry.
It was also disclosed that a bus would be provided to transport foreign journalists from one venue to another.
However local journalists would have had to find their own transportation.
But in a release this morning, Sandrea Falconer, the minister with responsibility for information in the Office of the Prime Minister said those guideless have been reversed.
She said safety vests will be provided for local journalists and a bus will be provided for those needing it.
Senator Falconer also says neither herself nor the Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller had been briefed on the decisions of the committee organising the Prince’s visit.
According to Senator Falconer, the local press is important to Jamaica’s democracy and must be treated them with respect.
As a result she says local journalists will be treated no less than international journalists.
She says local press vehicles carrying accredited staff will also be given special stickers allowing the traffic police to recognise them easily at events associated with the visit of Prince Harry.
This will be especially necessary for press access at the University of the West Indies and locations in downtown Kingston and also in Falmouth.
The Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) has welcomed the Government’s decision to reverse what it calls the ridiculous and unacceptable conditions that were imposed on local media representatives covering the visit of Prince Harry.
PAJ president Jenni Campbell says the changes afford local journalists the respect that they deserve.
Prince Harry will arrive in Jamaica on Monday and will depart on Thursday March 8.
He is visiting Jamaica on behalf of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, who is celebrating the 60th anniversary of her accession.
Prince Harry will visit the University of the West Indies, the Bustamante Hospital for Children and the Victoria Jubilee Hospital.
He will also visit the Rise Life NGO in central Kingston and the historic town of Falmouth.
