PNP Concerned by Jamaica’s Decline on World Press Freedom Index

The opposition People’s National Party, PNP, is raising concerns following Jamaica’s decline on the 2025 World Press Freedom Index.

The country now ranks 26th out of 180 countries, after slipping two places on the latest list. The PNP says Jamaica has slipped a total of 16 places on the press freedom ranking since 2020.

The PNP says this slip reflects what they’re describing as the growing gulf of mistrust between government officials and the press. The opposition party is accusing the government of taking an increasingly autocratic posture.

Opposition spokesperson on information and public communication, Nekeisha Burchell, says Jamaica’s slip in the press freedom ranking is not a coincidence. She says the government has deliberately attempted to undermine press freedom and control the national narrative.

“This administration has consistently shown contempt for independent journalism,” Burchell said. “Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Minister Dana Morris Dixon have used their public platforms to delegitimise respected media houses, directing Jamaicans away from independent journalism and toward party-controlled channels. This is not preference, it’s a calculated effort to silence dissent and avoid scrutiny.”

The PNP also accused the government of using public funds to finance politically charged advertising, disguised as government information.

“We are not opposed to media houses earning, they have every right to. But when taxpayer dollars are used to produce promotional content that seeks to elevate the prime minister and political actors, under the guise of public updates, we must ask if the line between governance and campaign propaganda has been crossed,” Burchell said.

Burchell urged the media to maintain its integrity amid what she calls digital disruptions and a changing economy. Though Ms Burchell is commending those in the media who she says have remained steadfast.

As Jamaica observes World Press Freedom Day on May 3, the PNP is calling for stronger protections for journalists, transparency in public communication spending, and a national recommitment to press freedom.