Expand or Ignore. Following the August announcement by the Gleaner Company Limited and Radio Jamaica of their merger, those are the options that remain open for other media entities across the island.

While it is not yet clear if or how the Observer and other media in Jamaica intend to respond, there are reports of conversations between at least one radio station and one local TV station.

According to Chairman of the Jamaica Observer, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, the move is a bold one ‘in a challenging environment, especially for print media.’ He says ‘the merger is admirable, notwithstanding the fact that we (the Observer and the Gleaner) are competitors. It will improve the ability of both companies to survive in an environment made even more difficult by the emergence of social media which, while not as credible as traditional media, enjoys popularity’.

Stewart says the media has an enormous responsibility of maintaining Jamaica’s tradition of respect for democracy. Meanwhile, Stewart says he is proud of the credibility the Observer has earned over the past 22 years as well as the growth of the recently introduced music radio station, FYAH 105 FM. He says ‘the RJR/Gleaner merger can only enhance democracy by continuing to give the Jamaican people more avenues for expression and information’.

Chairman of The Gleaner Company Oliver Clarke says the merger follows what he describes as unfavorable local economic conditions. He says independent news cannot be provided unless the move is viable. ‘What Jamaica faces is that there are a number of foreign companies coming in and putting up programmes that solicit advertising and you have a lot of businesses that are not making their way’.

The above extract is taken from the August 31 Issue of Businessuite Magazine. It is the second in a series of reviews of the general opinions and issues surrounding the initial announcement of the merger of RJR and the Gleaner.