OAS SHOULD RECOGNIZE BLACK HEROES, SAYS VASCIANNIE—04/25/15
Stephen Vasciannie, the Jamaican Ambassador to the Organization of American States (OAS) believes the organization should show more sensitivity to the contributions made by people of African descent in the Western hemisphere. He noted that the OAS member states should ask why there are so few symbols of achievement related to individuals of African descent in its roster of heroes. He called for the OAS to make greater efforts toward the goal of racial equality. Vascienne is also the Jamaican Ambassador to the United States.
UK TELEVISION PRESENTER CALLED RACIST FOR ON-AIR REMARK—04/26/15
Samantha Armytage, a television presenter in the United Kingdom, is facing a petition initiated by some of her viewers seeking her apology for remarks she made during a story about mixed-race twins. The controversy began when, in an interview with mixed-race non-identical twins, Lucy and Maria Aylmer, Armytage offered her congratulations to Lucy on getting her father’s “fair skin” by saying “good on her.” Maria takes after her half-Jamaican mother. Armytage has denied the claims made by the petition, saying that she was “taking a dig” at herself, as she is also of mixed-race parentage, having a Jamaican mother and a Polish father.
JAMAICAN RADIO PERSONALITY FEATURED AT BERMUDA JERK FESTIVAL—04/27/15
The One Love Jerk Festival in Bermuda featured a Jamaican radio star. The event, which is sponsored by the Jamaican Association of Bermuda, provided a live broadcast to Jamaicans worldwide thanks to the participation of Dervan Malcolm, a popular talk show host. He did his broadcast his talk show from the second annual staging of the event via live streaming on Power 106FM on the Gleaner’s website at www.go-jamaica.com. He provided interview with members of Bermuda’s Jamaican community and focused on Bermuda’s culture and heritage as well.
UK-BASED PRIVY COUNCIL SENDS DIVORCE CASE BACK TO SUPREME COURT—04/28/15
The Privy Council, which is based in the United Kingdom has sent back to the Kingston Supreme Court a divorce case brought by Eutetra Bromfield against Vincent Bromfield, her ex-husband. She has brought several cases under the Married Women’s Property Act, but the claims were dismissed by the Privy Council. She is seeking relief under the Matrimonial Causes Act. The Council ruled that the ex-husband must continue paying $50,000 per month as ordered by the Supreme Court until further orders from the local courts are issued. The wife is claiming an equitable interest in the Bloomfield Jamaica Medallion Hotel properties owned by the ex-husband on the grounds that she worked in the businesses during their marriage.
FORMER JAMAICAN PRIME MINISTER DELIVERS DIASPORA MESSAGE—04/29/15
Jamaica’s former Prime Minister, P.J. Patterson, will provide a keynote speech at the Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, New York on May 4, 2015, before traveling to a forum in Toronto, Canada, where he will deliver the same message theme of “Caribbean Diaspora: Borderless Possibilities.” His speech is designed to encourage a wider discussion concerning the opening of borders and easing limits on entry and exit among the nations of the Caribbean region. This topic will also be discussed at the Sixth Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference in Montego Bay in May.
MAJOR TELEVISION NETWORK TO ADAPT JAMAICAN NOVEL FOR BROADCAST—04/30/15
The television network HBO has purchased the rights to adapt Jamaican author Marlon James’ award-winning novel for television. The novel, “A Brief History of Seven Killings,” which was inspired by a true life incident in which Bob Marley’s home in Kingston was attacked by gunmen in 1976. HBO plans to adapt the novel as an ongoing series
OBAMA ADMINISTRATION REDUCES NUMBER OF IMMIGRANT REMOVALS—05/01/15
According to data gathered by the United States government, the administration of President Barack Obama is on track to have deported the fewest number of immigrants in ten years. Federal immigration officials noted that, as of April 20, 2015, 127,378 immigrants were sent home, being in the U.S. illegally. This is the lowest number since the second term of President George W. Bush. The removals are decreasing at the same time as the Obama administration battles a legal challenge to its plan to protect millions of immigrants from deportation.
JAMAICA’S INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS UNDER THREAT OVERSEAS—05/01/15
According to Gary Allen, managing director of RJR Communications Group, local media content providers who are attempting to enter foreign markets must often face the same breaches of intellectual property rights as foreign providers experience in Jamaica. The issue has been highlighted since an announcement from the Broadcasting Commission that local cable operators have been told to stop airing 19 channels because they did not obtain the rights required to broadcast them.
