The ACM has launched a campaign focused on the plight of journalists and other media workers in some Caribbean countries affected by Hurricane Irma. A key component is providing a platform for the telling of stories of journalists and how they have been affected.
This statement was originally launched on acmpress.org on 13 September 2017.
The Association of Caribbean MediaWorkers (ACM) has launched a campaign focused on the plight of journalists and other media workers in some Caribbean countries affected by Hurricane Irma.
A committee led by veteran Barbadian broadcaster, Julian Rogers, and including ACM president Wesley Gibbings, Media Institute of the Caribbean (MIC) board member/former IPI executive director, Alison Bethel-McKenzie and ACM executive member, Denis Chabrol has been convened.
Journalists Anika Kentish (Antigua), Marvin Hokstam (Netherlands), Raynier Maharaj (Canada) with support from CMC are also engaged in the fact-finding, planning and fund-raising activities of the campaign.
The primary objectives of the campaign are:
1. To conduct an assessment of the professional/equipment needs of media workers in islands affected by Hurricane Irma and to report on in to the ACM for onward submission to our global partners;
2. To deliver some minimum relief to those in need;
3. To establish a system for relaying news and information on the situation regarding media and journalists in the affected countries via the CMC network
The countries/territories included in this survey are: Anguilla, Barbuda, BVI, Turks and Caicos and St Martin/Sint Maarten. Some work on the ground has already begun.
The ACM is engaging the attention of its regional and international affiliates and some fund-raising activities to facilitate the missions and follow-up action is being launched.
ACM President Wesley Gibbings says the campaign “is the least we can do at a time like this to ensure there are functioning media operatives in the islands most affected by the hurricane.”
“One key component is providing a platform for the telling of stories of journalists and how they have been affected,” he said.
