Opposition urges gov't to set social media policy for public officials

By Prince Moore    

 

The parliamentary opposition is calling for the government to urgently implement a social media policy with stringent guidelines for public officials.

 

The call follows postings on Wednesday on the social media page of State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Alando Terrelonge, which depicted defaced portraits of former Prime Ministers Portia Simpson Miller and P.J. Patterson at the Jamaican High Commission in London.

 

A photo showed Mr. Terrelonge apparently speaking with a member of the Jamaican diaspora, but in the background, the portraits of those two former prime ministers who led the People's National Party, were covered with Jamaican flag emojis.

 

The photos of former prime ministers from the Jamaica Labour Party, however, remained visible. 

 

Shadow Minister of Information & Public Communication Nekeisha Burchell said the issue highlights an unpatriotic act by Mr. Terrelonge and his team.

 

She said the move shows a lack of respect for two distinguished leaders who have loyally served the nation. 

 

"It wasn't only offensive to the former prime ministers or even those who may have supported them politically, but it was a great dishonour to Jamaica given that Minister Terrelonge is a state minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and therefore his socials would be exposed to international audiences, including the diaspora, international partners and allies alike. This was a dishonour to Jamaica in general. And therefore, we have to put systems in place to ensure that this does not happen again," she demanded.