The Editor, Sir:

I am surprised at the context into which my recent comments about journalists have been placed.

The minister of information has already reiterated that the Government has no intention to license journalists, and I was certainly not suggesting that my comments represented government policy or intent.

My statement was made after the Press Association of Jamaica's (PAJ) presentation to the Parliament's Human Resource and Social Development Committee. Within that presentation it was stated that members of the association were not registered. It was this information which triggered my response. My comment was, therefore, my own strong support for a deficiency pointed out by the PAJ.

As we all know, all businesses and self-employed persons are required to register with the Companies Office of Jamaica, to operate and pay the required fees and applicable taxes to the Government. It is this registration to which I was referring. I also stated that professionals, such as lawyers and doctors, are registered. I was also voicing my own concern as to whether this requirement should not be extended to all professionals, which would include journalists.

I was, therefore, taken by surprise at the vehemence with which my comments have been denounced, since I did not intend to suggest that there was any element of restriction of freedom of speech in my suggestion. I would, therefore, like to reassure my colleagues in the media that I will, at all costs, as I always do, defend their freedom of expression and freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.

It is this freedom, coincidentally, which I also enjoy, coupled with my sense of propriety, which have sparked my response to you, the editor.

I am, etc.,

TARN PERALTO

tap@kasnet.com