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ST GEORGE’S, Grenada -- The Grenada government’s decision to decriminalise defamation has received the attention of the world’s oldest press freedom organization, the International Press Institute (IPI), which congratulated Prime Minister Tillman Thomas on the pronouncement.

“With the elimination of the criminal penalties …Grenadian journalists will be increasingly empowered to investigate matters of public interest without fear of the need to self censor. This in turn will strengthen transparency, accountability and democracy in Grenada,” the letter signed by IPI executive director Alison Bethel Mc Kenzie said.

“Bravo for a job well done,” the letter from IPI said.

The press freedom organization “assured” the prime minister that the “government’s leadership on this issue” has motivated journalists across the world to urge their own governments to replicate “your achievement.”

The organisation said it hopes other Caribbean governments will follow the lead set by Grenada to repeal criminal defamation laws from the island’s Criminal Code.

IPI also noted that the repeal of the section, which has been used to prosecute Grenadian journalists, would further “strengthen press freedom in your country.”

The IPI executive director welcomed government’s commitment to bring Grenada’s press related laws in line with international standards.

Thomas has also reiterated his commitment to remove seditious libel from the Criminal Code.

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