CVM Sunrise covers Portmore boundary review, inflation risks and AI privacy

CVM Sunrise’s June 4 broadcast blended national news, consumer guidance and culture, with discussions spanning Portmore’s proposed parish arrangements, support for justices of the peace, inflation, food safety, artificial intelligence, fashion and Jamaican language.

In the headlines segment, the programme reported that the Electoral Commission of Jamaica has begun consultations on electoral boundary changes tied to Portmore’s transition to parish status. The process follows legislation passed in February 2025 and comes after a legal challenge by the People’s National Party and a 2025 ruling by Chief Justice Brian Sykes. Director of Elections Glasspole Brown said stakeholder feedback will help shape recommendations before they go to Parliament’s boundaries committee.

The show also highlighted Opposition spokesperson on justice Zuleika Jess’s call for justices of the peace to receive a stipend. Jess told Parliament during the sectoral debate that more than 7,000 JPs provide voluntary service while often covering stationery, printing, transport and other costs themselves.

Financial educator and author Carlton Stewart warned viewers that inflation could move toward the upper end of the Bank of Jamaica’s 4 to 6 per cent target band. He linked the risk to higher oil prices, import costs, supply-chain pressure and strong consumer demand, and urged Jamaicans to avoid keeping excess funds in low-interest accounts, review investments and consider diversified portfolios.

Ahead of World Food Safety Day on June 7, food safety communicator Allison Richards said this year’s theme is “From burdens to solutions: food safe everywhere.” She urged proper handwashing, safe refrigerator storage, attention to product recalls and better understanding of date labels such as expiration, best-before, use-by and sell-by dates.

Certified AI consultant Dwayne Stevens cautioned businesses against placing confidential material into artificial intelligence tools. He said companies should avoid sharing payroll records, legal files, trade secrets and passwords, and should use approved tools, staff training, clear policies and human review.

The programme also featured designer Rashelle Lee Smith of RMS Collections, who presented luxury resort wear from her Moroi collection, and ended with a light discussion on Jamaican sayings and the value of preserving local language.