Adding to Jamaica's woes have been plummeting commodity prices, which have hit its bauxite industry and forced the government to raise fuel prices, sparking widespread riots in the spring of 1999. A lawyer by training, Patterson became prime minister and party leader in 1992 after Michael Manley resigned, proceeding to win elections in 1993 and 1997. He has successfully tackled Jamaica's rampant inflation through tight monetary and fiscal policies, and has sought to reduce the state's debt by privatising state enterprises. Nonetheless, journalists are occasionally intimidated during election campaigns. The broadcast media are largely public and are open to diverse news and comment.
Foreign broadcasts are unregulated and available by satellite.