The Radio Jamaica and Gleaner Co Merger: Lessons for the Media-development Nexus and Safeguarding Pluralism and Community Radio in Small Societies

摘要

The paper examines Jamaica's most significant media merger and probes the implications for media pluralism and media-development nexus in densely populated small island contexts. The case highlights heightened tendency toward ownership concentration as a necessity and note alternatives, particularly for Jamaica's traditionally pluralistic radio sector. It posits consolidation in small-developing states is significant and peculiar as it is deemed both a threat to culture and the ever-elusive development project that motivates developing societies. The paper highlights strategic partnerships and experimentations in the radio sector that offer the benefits of concentration without undermining pluralism and proposals to reimagine the media-development nexus.