While a number of ministerial absentees is anticipated, it is the expectation that a meeting of officials yesterday and a seminar today would come up with some specific ideas that could form the basis for an information and communication strategy to respond to regional and international challenges in more effectively sensitising the public about the policies and programmes of CARICOM.

Particular emphasis is to be focused on the role of information and communication technology in relation to efforts to operationalise the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) and also how integrated networking by Government Information Services (GIS) and the public and private sector media could enable the process.

The future of the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) with possible regional and international funding assistance is among agenda issues.

The agenda, a copy of which was obtained by the 'Chronicle', also includes discussion of proposals from the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU), one of the merged entities of the CMC---the other being the Caribbean News Agency--- to develop pan-Caribbean radio and television channels to be financed from a Caribbean Broadcasting Fund.

But it is unclear to both public and private sector media and information decision-makers how the CBU hopes to pursue its proposed initiative, if not within the framework of a resuscitated CMC as existed prior to its forced closure in January this year because of a serious financial problem.

Part of the package prepared for this week's meetings of officials and ministers responsible for information and communications technology include a jargon-filled briefing paper that does not address specific issues in the arrangements for a more people-friendly information and communication environment.

Issues relating to the harmonisation of defamation laws and proposals by the Caribbean Music Expo Limited on the need for "political support and new thinking" to restructure the Caribbean media sector to better provide a platform for the promotion and expansion of Caribbean entertainment and culture are also on the agenda.

The ministerial meeting will conclude just a day before the opening on Thursday of the Fifth Caribbean Media Conference, also in St. John's.

The Minister of Information of Antigua and Barbuda, who is expected to chair tomorrow's ministerial meeting, has announced that he would no longer be addressing the opening session of the Caribbean Media Conference in protest against the production and circulation of a videotape by the Observer Group, host for the CMC event.

The tape contains interview with a girl, said to be around 14 years of age that makes serious allegations against Prime Minister Lester Bird, who has since called for an apology from the 'Observer' newspaper while legal action is also being pursued.