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'Blog, but you also have to be responsible' - Premier Fahie

- says days of hiding in cyberspace is over
While urging citizens to desist from negative behaviours in cyberspace, Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has revealed that once the Computer Misuse and Cyber Crime Amendment Act 2019 passes, Government will track down persons disseminating damaging and libelous content online. Photo: GIS/File
Hon Kye M. Rymer in supporting the bill and its associated penalties said it was heart-warming to learn of the possibilities to track the culprits. Photo: VINO/File
Hon Kye M. Rymer in supporting the bill and its associated penalties said it was heart-warming to learn of the possibilities to track the culprits. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – While urging citizens to desist from negative behaviours in cyberspace, Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has revealed that once the Computer Misuse and Cyber Crime Amendment Act 2019 passes, Government will track down persons disseminating damaging and libellous content online.

“All we wanted to do is let those who intend on trying to destroy businesses and persons' repetition to know that from this day forth, you’re going to have to pay for your actions,” Premier Fahie said at the August 1, 2019, sitting of the House of Assembly (HoA).

Further, the Leader of Government Business noted that cell phone companies will also responsible for locating where the ‘first hit’ was from. This can also indicate the origins of the damaging content.  

“So I’d like to appeal to the people in the Virgin Islands (VI), for those who intend or are involved in sending out videos, WhatsApp or anything that damage people’s character, to know that before we say aye to this bill, don’t send anymore.”

Warning to Bloggers

In a warning to bloggers, seen as the ‘life blood’ of the Virgin Islands news scene, the Premier reminded of the responsibilities that come with the freedom to express one’s views online.

He said that once the bill is passed, the days of hiding in cyberspace in the Virgin Islands is over.

While blogs on news websites like Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) do not mandate registered names—as aliases are chosen by the blogger—VINO maintains an extensive internal archive of blogs on the website and exercise caution to censor, not publish and/or delete statements that have the possibility to be libellous and/or damaging to individuals and businesses.

“You can blog, but the company will have to be responsible to know the identity of the person, so you can blog, you have the freedom to blog, but you also have to be responsible,” the Premier said.

Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) in supporting the bill and its associated penalties said it was heart-warming to learn of the possibilities to “track the culprits that actually send this data around.”

He said once the bill is passed, the next step would be to advertise the penalties that come with malicious online actions so that persons can be aware of the consequences.

6 Responses to “'Blog, but you also have to be responsible' - Premier Fahie ”

  • Not2Sure (14/08/2019, 07:21) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    We going blog yes
  • dude (14/08/2019, 10:43) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    So the company will give every customer a public static ip? Won't that raise service cost? Just asking b/c I honestly don't know. Freedom of speech extends to writing and I would say public figures need to have thick skin. Sure anyone spreading negative and slanderous content is bad & wrong but it's part of life. So tell me if they do it word of mouth they're fine but posting online they're criminals? OR is this more about posting childporn and leaking private info? Again how would the news media have any news except what the GOV wants? These are the questions I have & I would like to hear this discussed more
  • 123 (14/08/2019, 11:02) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    NDP bloggers are out in mass with blogs and meme but they out of power so that why
  • Agree (14/08/2019, 17:59) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    I agree with the premier on this one.
  • Hmm (14/08/2019, 18:56) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Does anyone else sense the controlling mind of authoritarian Orwellian entitlement?

    “All we wanted to do is let those who intend on trying to destroy businesses and persons' repetition to know that from this day forth, you’re going to have to pay for your actions,”

    People destroy their own reputation's. Now is a crime to talk about it?


    Tracking down bloggers and 500 thousand dollar fines. Who's ego is this feeding? Are we fighting child porn or freedom of speech.

    The poorest raggedy person has a voice online equal to all other!! Fact.

    The comments are already filtered, and police work with the news sites, what more does the premier want?

    What more COULD he want from innocent bloggers?



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