VETERAN JOURNALIST and columnist Ken Jones has confirmed that he has been in discussions with the Government to take up a senior communications position in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).

At the same time, media heavyweight Ian Boyne has denied radio reports that he is to be seconded to Jamaica House from the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), as part of a high-profile communications team to bolster the administration's communication strategy.

Jones told The Gleaner yesterday that negotiations would be concluded shortly with the Government.

The 80-year-old public relations consultant admitted that he was being recruited as the chief spokesman for Prime Minister Bruce Golding.

Jones, whose career in journalism spans 62 years, has also worked as a public relations consultant. He is a founding member of the Public Relations Society of Jamaica; held the position of general secretary of the Farquharson Institute of Public Affairs and was a former executive director of the JIS in the 1980s.

Last year, the Bruce Golding-led administration was severely criticised for its failure to effectively articulate the Government's policies and achievements.

New plans

In a bid to strengthen its communication thrust, the administration, in a few days, will roll out new plans for connecting with Jamaicans through a more proactive approach to providing information.

As part of this move, a new chief executive officer will be announced for the Government's information arm, the JIS.

The Gleaner has been reliably informed that a deputy CEO will also be named.

However, Government's chief liaison officer at the JIS, Boyne told The Gleaner yesterday that reports that he would be working out of the OPM were false.

He said his substantial position as chief liaison officer has not changed and he would still be based at the JIS.