The ACM will continue to play a critical role in ensuring that the free movement of media workers is achieved. A recent meeting with the Deputy Secretary General of CARICOM has shown just how important our organisation is to the process of regional integration and the free movement of media workers.

Your ACM executive has continued to build alliances, which, among other things, would help create opportunities for training. The first for the New Year will be a collaboration with UNESCO and will target media workers in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and Barbados.

May I take this opportunity to remind journalists and media workers that full sponsorship is available for delegates attending the February 14-15 Education for All workshop in St. Lucia. So far we have received several applications but none from the following countries: Barbados, the British Virgin Islands, St Kitts-Nevis and Montserrat.

We are also still entertaining further applications from: Dominica and St Vincent and the Grenadines. Please remember to send a brief bio with full contact details to acmmail@gmail.com The deadline is January 3, 2006.

Another training workshop is being planned for the Bahamas in March, you will hear more about this in time.

Since assuming office, I have been spending time understanding the needs and challenges of national associations wherever they exist in the region. Most of the challenges appear common in many of these associations. These bodies can only be as strong as their memberships. Therefore, it is imperative that they be given the support needed, not only for themselves, but also as important members of the ACM family.

I do not have to reiterate that weak media associations give way to many problems within the media industry, including strong-arm tactics, which erode press freedoms. We are aware and continue to monitor attempts in some territories to introduce legislation, which could have far reaching effects on the way we, as media workers, do our work. These attempts must be closely monitored and acted on when applicable.

Court rulings are also posing a challenge to this profession, and they too must be dealt with. Suriname is the latest example. I applaud the Suriname Journalists Association for its position and vigilance in the issue involving the 'De West' newspaper and the country's Currency Board.