BVI Airways Rep bars local reporter from public event
Ms Sachkia Barnes, a Guyanese national living and working in the Virgin Islands for years, sent out an invitation yesterday April 11, 2017 inviting the public and selective media houses to an 'open house' today April 12, 2017 for the government funded BVI Airways, which has come under fire as the public is not clear when they will ever fly.
Barred reporter speaks
Speaking exclusively to our newsroom, reporter Kenneth E. Silva of the BVI Beacon, which was one of the handpicked news media to be invited, said when he showed up today at the function at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport he was denied access.
Mr Sliva confirmed that "the Beacon received an invitation to the open house last night, but I was turned away when I arrived at the airport."
It is our understanding that he was told by Ms Barnes, who also worked as a speech writer for controversial Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL), that "the invitation was not extended to the Beacon."
It is unclear why the Beacon was censored or if Ms Barnes was instructed to only invite media houses who have given BVI Airways and the controversial $7M bailout deal coverage they like.
Ms Barnes was a few years ago hired as a Government Information Officer but had her tenure in that post not renewed.
It is also our understating that Ms Barnes told Mr Silva "the challenge we’re having with the press is that we can no longer have an open dialogue and try to provide context for individuals.”
It is unclear what she meant by this as she could not be reached up to press time.
Investigating BVI Airways & Directors
The BVI Beacon, like our newsroom, has been undertaking investigative reporting into the background of some of the owners, shareholders, and directors of BVI Airways.
The BVI Beacon reported in a March 16, 2017 article that three BVI Airways officials, CEO Jerry Willoughby, Executive Vice President Pauline Jones, and Safety Director Joseph Pampalone, all had previously worked with a New York-based corporation called Baltia Airlines, which has never operated a commercial flight or generated revenue despite being in existence since 1989, according to a United States Securities and Exchange Commission filing from March 2016 and other documents they unearthed.
Leader of the Opposition Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) will also be asking Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) more questions on the controversial airline deal next week when Parliament meets on April 18, 2017.
The public was given three flight dates last year by Premier Smith; that of October 30, November 30 and the end of December 2016 with not one coming to pass.
When BVI Airways pulled out of the Virgin Islands in 2014 claiming that it was bankrupt, it owed the BVI Airports Authority some $100,000 in fees.
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45 Responses to “BVI Airways Rep bars local reporter from public event”
Trained to hate and censor by we know who!!!
she must have something to hide, ##$&* could not get away with that behavior in Guyana
I am just sick to my stomach of these people who came on the banana boat and feel they could push around every body
The government know how to FAIL. I would have kept she over the set that they have wasting time.
Leave saski. She doing her job and followinh instructions obviously. Myron pet yes but the girl have to eat to. Wa she really k ow about GT or wherever her people from. She grew up right freaking here. We all know the government sucks and are really dirty business men obviously. Myron trying to build his empire, slick rick just want to be rich. I donrt think he really like is commoners, .Doc just trying to save face and show he is a leard contrary to popular belief. Ronnie really the only upstanding one suprisingly without Claude of course. Archie dead. Mitch fighting an up hill battle leaving the bay from eidher side. Delores sleeping bag lady cooking as its carnival in stt. All of them jokey to the f...i*g bone. Ah done!!!!!
Cape Air and SeaBorne fares are through the roof right now, but can you get a seat? NO! There are always people seeking convenience over cheap sh*t. Going to st thomas is a £$%&* nightmare so it will be worth spending a bit more leaving from home.
serious. sometimes the 'censorship' has come from some media outlets in the bvi. silva is a good man as is others
at vino but they have at times slammed the door and refused to do any investigative journalism about bank behaviour
that is not good for the bvi. just saying.
BVI AIRWAYS have a right to BLACKLIST any media house as they please. Wonder why you haven't covered the event either?
I am sick to death of so-called "free countries" putting dictatorial and arrogant constraints on the press. In my opinion, freedom of thought, freedom of speech and freedom of the press are sacrosanct and inviolable.
Having read of this nonsense, I vow here and now that I will NOT in any way, shape or form support BVI Airways, nor will I recommend their services to any of our overseas clients, until such time as a public apology has been issued and the company promises NEVER to violate the Freedom of the press again.
To allow the press to be disinvited at the last possible second, in such an offhanded manner and without explanation, signals our government (and their business partners) that we are OK with violations against our freedoms and our democracy. I for one will not let this go unnoticed and intend to actively advise people against using BVI Airlines at every opportunity.
I am fed up and disgusted. Enough is enough!
Scary Mary, who will miss you? You won't support BVI Airways, OH MY, what horror! You read one news report and believe everything it says just like that? You people here are so naive and stupid!! You don't even know what happened and you are already taking sides, typical BVI bullsh*t.
BVI Journalists need to unite against any attempts to infringe on freedom of the process as protected by the constitution. This is a government funded airline and the tax paying people of the BVI need to know where and how their money is being spent. They should have all walked out in solidarity against this infringement on the press freedom so they missed a moment too. Ms. Barnes sent out the invite the day before but probably was instructed by her employers to disinvite the reporter. What a mess of something that could have been so positive.