Following are ten big stories of 2013. How did these stories impact you?
10.Tessanne Chin wins the US talent show The Voice: this was a story that captivated us for the last few months of the year. Social media rallied around #TeamTessanne and Jamaicans everywhere were proud to see one of their own doing so well on a US stage. Tessanne’s ever-present humility, attachment to her fellow contestants, gratitude to her coach Adam Levine and of course, obvious talent made the show a must-watch for thousands every week. As I wrote here, the story is undeniably newsworthy. Having said that, let me anticipate the howls of protest over my designation of this story as number 10. This was the ultimate feel-good, inspirational story. However, it hasn’t and will not, affect any of the pressing issues facing the country, and neither will it impact in any long-lasting way (compared to the other stories on my list) the lives of Jamaicans.
9. Nelson Mandela’s death: The death of the first black President of South Africa resonated around the world. The Jamaican link with the struggle against apartheid made his passing especially poignant for us, and his accomplishments as a freedom fighter and world leader made us think about what leadership and sacrifice really mean.
8. Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller’s leadership: The Prime Minister came under more scrutiny for aspects of her leadership. Her foreign travel, and limited dealings with the press, and interaction with the public through press conferences, public fora, meetings etc. were among the issues discussed.
7. Richard Azan – the state minister’s resignation after being criticized for his involvement in construction of shops at the Spaulding market ignited discussion about governance, the role of Members of Parliament and playing by the rules. His re-instatement by Prime Minister Simpson-Miller was just as controversial.
6 JLP leadership challenge: A bona fide leadership campaign and election in the
Photo by DJ Miller
Opposition Jamaica Labour Party made news for months. As I said in this article in the Gleaner, the leadership campaign allowed us to start to get a better feeling for Andrew Holness as a political leader.
5. Goat Island development : The proposal to allow Chinese investors to build a transshipment port on the Goat Islands set off a huge public discussion about government decision-making processes, sustainable development, and the importance of protected areas.
4. Children in care of the state: the continued advocacy of children’s rights groups saw them coming into conflict with the government on several occasions. There are few more important stories than how we treat our most vulnerable – children among them.
3. Murder figures rise again – Murder figures are rising again, attributed by the National Security Minister and the Police Commissioner to criminal gangs, and an increase in the drugs trade. There are very few things that concern Jamaicans more, affect the country’s image more negatively, and touch our sense of safety and security every single day.
2. Economy/IMF – the hardships for the average Jamaican as a result of Jamaica’s under-performing economy and the IMF agreement including increased taxes and a sliding dollar continued to hit Jamaicans in the pocketbook.
1. Ban on smoking in public places : for me, this was one of the single most significant stories in 2013. The World Health Organisation reports that 600,000 people die every year from second hand smoke. WHO reported earlier this year that “Tobacco control measures in place in 41 countries between 2007 and 2010 will prevent some 7.4 million premature deaths by 2050.” The Jamaican regulations, although still a work in progress, need to be seen in this context
News and Views by Dionne Jackson Miller 
December 29, 2013 at 7:10 am
Lists are good for provoking reactions. Personally, I think it’s premature to conclude what Tessanne Chin’s successes will mean for Jamaica. I agree that for us “This was the ultimate feel-good, inspirational story.” Because of that, we should allow time to assess if “it hasn’t and will not, affect any of the pressing issues facing the country, and neither will it impact in any long-lasting way (compared to the other stories on my list) the lives of Jamaicans.” Each journey begins with but a single step. Some of the problems with so-called newsmedia is that they do not draw enough on inspirational stories and their diet of despairing stories has a way of eating away at the core of people’s hopes. However, keep us all thinking and asking good questions. Merry Christmas and a blessed and happy New Year.
December 29, 2013 at 10:20 am
I don’t think Tessanne needs to sing another song. What she did on The Voice is a foundation that Jamaica can build on. Her success speaks to many things; dreams, aspiration, vision, goals, determination, passion, commitment, etc..
Let’s not wait for time. Now is the time. Continue to build on what many started before her…
December 31, 2013 at 9:32 am
Literally, and metaphorically, Tessanne needs to keep singing. Many have not heard her ‘song’ (a metaphor for hope, striving, hard work, effort, support, etc.), and need to learn how to ‘raise their own voices’. We should guard against ‘sitting on our laurels’ (doing nothing and thinking that the initial success is all we need achieve). Others need to learn how to ‘sing’ like her. She has, indeed, laid a foundation, but the building is hardly off the ground, yet.
December 29, 2013 at 12:05 pm
I guess they’ll have to chide away because including the story makes basic news sense. My only addition (maybe) would have been the use of social media by the GOJ (including of course by certain MPs and junior ministers) and by the Opposition (especially during the leadership race).
I also notice how many of these stories have to do with governance and the lack if the good sort in Jamaica. I count 60% (maybe 70%) of your list falling into that category. Everything from communication, accountability, and public education, to transparency, responsibilities of a public official to his/her office, and policy development and implementation…failure. Woi.
About your number 1 story: The smoking regulations are not just about context, they are also about governance and regulatory work done very badly. So “work in progress” just seems too generous an assessment. Tobacco Control has BEEN done worldwide. Jamaica’s regulations should have been done better, no excuse. Too anti-smoker and not enough pro health/pro public health in my opinion.
January 5, 2014 at 11:58 pm
Dionne, you seem to be an ardent supporter of the smoking ban, but I believe as a journalist you need to ask tough questions about whether the smoking ban was the best use of our policy efforts in health. Let’s get it out of the way that smoking is bad for you, but despite the views of the medical doctors the issues of second hand smoke are very questionable and the idea of third hand smoke is a joke. As far as I know only one study has brought up the spectre of third hand smoke. Do we formulate policy on the basis of one questionable study? Jamaican policy should be related to specific Jamaican conditions and there was precious little Jamaican data backing the smoking ban. The Jamaican public has been fed a fairy tale that with the smoking ban there will be a dramatic improvement in the county’s health situation. This assumes that smoking was the main cause of our health problems. Now my personal experience is that cigarette use in Jamaica is sharply down from what it was a few decades ago. Are we a much healthier population than we were a few decades ago? Smoking was already on the decline in Jamaica without any significant government action so what exactly will the smoking ban achieve? I have been exposed to the same amount of smokers since the ban as before the ban — i.e. virtually none. How many smokers do you come across on a daily basis? I would suspect not many. So what exactly will the ban achieve? Can those who promote the concept of second hand smoke produce any actual cases of Jamaicans who have got lung cancer because of second hand smoke? I hardly think so. So if we have no direct Jamaican evidence of second hand smoke why are we implementing policies based on the idea of second hand smoke. As I understand it if a person who has had a poor diet all his or her life comes down with heart disease and answers a questionnaire that they have smoked one cigarette in their life then some studies put the heart disease as a result of smoking notwithstanding that poor diet is the major cause. Looking around Jamaica do you really think that smoking is a bigger cause of health problems than our dietary choices? This smoking ban is nothing more than smoke and mirrors. We will have pretty much the same health problems in a few years, despite a ludicrous claim by the health ministry that we are going to save $13 billion annually because of the smoking ban.. BTW I am not a smoker, but I really don’t think the smoking ban policy is grounded on solid policy analysis. Policy without analysis is usually bad policy. Even though smoking kills smokers, it is usually when they are old and in the departure lounge anyway. Have you ever heard of a 30 or 40 year old person dying of lung cancer? I have known a handful of people in their 60s, 70s and 80s who have died of lung cancer from smoking. The question is — is a practice that’s going to kill you in that age range really a matter of great policy import?
January 6, 2014 at 2:14 am
Thanks for the comment – the weight of scientific evidence is against most of what you have said. When you start with a comment like this ” despite the views of the medical doctors the issues of second hand smoke are very questionable” it is hard to go any further with the discussion. Re the Jamaican situation – there were many places where you would still come into contact with cigarette smoke – and yes they were public places like entertainment venues.