YOUTH INVOLVEMENT IN CRIME |
Economics One of the biggest impediments is the scale of and viability of the media industry. Newsrooms are under- resourced; journalists are stretched thin and as a priority they need to focus on producing enough content for publication. All things considered they may be doing the best possible under the circumstances, but this leads to a focus on quantity not quality. Correcting this situation requires specific interventions to stimulate media viability and survival and those recommendations would be beyond the scope of this study because of its depth and specificity. A UNESCO Media Viability Study was done by Media Institute Caribbean (MIC) in December 2021 20 and this provides valuable insight covering regulatory, social and economic variables to help ensure the development of a stronger media industry in small island states using Jamaica as an example. Again, this lobbying should be done via the ACM supported by local media and press associations where they exist. The recommendations made can be adapted appropriately to suit the needs of the different countries. Some examples are: 1) Broadcasters could benefit from preferential duties under normal circumstances for broadcast and IT capital equipment. 2) Media entities can be given tax waivers, write offs and other incentives for local content production. This approach has led to significant industry growth and dynamism in first world and other countries. 3) Regulations need to be put in place to curb the overpowering presence of large tech companies. 4) Large tech should pay income tax on all income generated from the markets and those taxes should go to a fund to support traditional media. These funds could be invested in media training in multiple disciplines (journalism, management, marketing, content production and management) 5) All government and quasi government organizations should be mandated to only support local media and content providers when promoting locally. 6) In the interest of maintaining an independent media and ensuring journalistic output of the highest standards, initiatives such as the Local Journalism Sustainability Act in The United States announced November 22, 2021, tailored to the local context. The provision supports broadcasters’ critical local journalism by making a tax credit available for the hiring and retention of local news journalists each year over five years. 5.5 Conclusion Considering the limitations and hindrances to reporting that are experienced in Barbados, Grenada and St. Vincent & the Grenadines, the media is apparently doing a good job of fairly representing youth crime. Our media tacking predominantly documented print stories, followed by online, radio and television in that order. We were not able to track social media in any reliable manner. Reporting on incidents dominated coverage and is characterized by: o A straightforward reporting style free of sensationalism o An appropriate ethical approach to the representation of juveniles in writing, photography, videography, and radio, protecting their identities.
20 UNESCO media viability indicators: research study , December 2021
A Media Analysis of the Coverage of Youth Involvement in Crime and Violence and Trafficking in Persons (June 2021 to June 2023) in the Eastern Caribbean 49
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