"That has not been a subject of discussion, neither at my level nor at the Cabinet level," Vaz told The Gleaner yesterday.

On Wednesday, Tarn Peralto said the journalistic profession would be subject to regulations.

"There have to be standards of registration and that's where you need to get to ... . I believe it's going to come, I can promise you that," Peralto said.

The South East St Mary MP made the comment after the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) indicated to the Human Resources and Social Development Committee of Parliament that it would be "vociferously opposed to the licensing of journalists".

Committee Chairman Dr Fenton Ferguson questioned why the PAJ would take that stance and was told that licensing represented a threat to democracy and freedom of expression.

The PAJ also said that it was putting in place an industrywide code of practice to regulate itself. The Media Association Jamaica Ltd, which represents media owners and managers, is partnering with the PAJ to ensure practitioners adhere to the guidelines of the code.

Speaking with The Gleaner yesterday, Vaz said he was aware that discussions took place at the CARICOM level on the issue. He said that the Government had neither discussed it nor taken a position on the matter.

Licensing of journalists is understood to mean a system whereby individuals are required to apply to an external authority for permission to practise journalism. That permission may be refused or revoked.