Cameras in courtrooms not a priority
for MOJ

Press Release

August 22, 2011 - The Ministry of Justice wishes to clarify that the Minister of Justice, the Honourable Delory Chuck, at no time, suggested that allowing cameras in courtrooms was his priority or that of the Ministry.

The Minister merely suggested that in a bid to make the justice system more transparent, one option would be to allow cameras inside the courtrooms - in appropriate cases - to facilitate the public getting an understanding of the court procedures of justice system, and by extension the administration of justice in Jamaica.

Since he was sworn in on Tuesday, July 5, 2011 to date, he has been promoting his main priorities which include:

·         the clearing of the case backlog in the justice system.

·         More efficient use of the court's time

·         Full access to the courts by the general public

“Begin the debate”
On Thursday, August 18, 2011, it was accurately reported that the Minister of Justice, in his presentation at the opening of the Lucea Family Court, "invited stakeholders to begin the debate on cameras in courtrooms."

It is rather unfortunate that four days later, the impression is being given by Opposition Spokesman on Justice, Senator Mark Golding, that the Minister wants to make this issue a priority at this time, as at no time did Minister Chuck suggest that having cameras in the courts was a priority for the Ministry of Justice.

(See “Camera not priority” in The Gleaner dated August 22, 2011. Go to: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20110822/lead/lead1.html )