Anyone trying to keep up with events in Jamaica will usually end up following news from Kingston. As the capital, it is where sporting fixtures, ceremonies, political announcements and big parties tend to happen, and it is the base of the island’s main media organisations. Coverage spans entertainment, fashion, finance, the economy, religion and community life. Business travellers in particular rely on it, since many of Kingston’s business hotels sit within walking distance of one another and the city runs on daily information.
Newspapers
The two principal dailies are the Jamaica Observer and the Jamaica Gleaner. Both are published in the capital, both update their websites as stories break, and they often differ in the level of detail, so reading each can be rewarding. Print editions are popular on certain days of the week, while the online versions carry the same reporting plus continuous updates. Readers planning a stay in Kingston can subscribe to alerts weeks in advance, which means they arrive already briefed. See the pages on the capital for background on the city itself.
Radio
Several stations broadcast breaking news and local developments, among them Power 106, 92 FM, 94.5 FM and Zip 103. Some, such as RJR and News Talk 93 FM, also stream online, so listeners abroad can follow Kingston as it happens.
Television
Television Jamaica and CVM are the two main channels for news. Both are based in Kingston, so a large share of their reports concerns the capital. Bulletins are broadcast in the morning, around midday and in the evening, and the main evening programmes air at 7 pm and 8 pm respectively.
Staying informed in practice
- Choose one newspaper and one radio or television source to check regularly.
- Use the websites if you are outside the island, since they are updated continuously.
- Treat reports of events or closures as time-sensitive and confirm them before travelling.
For a wider picture of what is happening across the island, the Jamaica blog collects event and travel notes.