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Carry me to Balsam Ghut! – Edmund Maduro

- commentator rails against proposed gov’t Computer Misuse & Cybercrime Act
Talk show host and commentator Edmund Maduro said he is willing to spend time at Her Majesty’s Prison at Balsam Ghut in defence of the rights of the people of the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
Co-host Rajah A. Smith added that it was only in undemocratic countries that the press was oppressed. Photo: Team of Reporters
Co-host Rajah A. Smith added that it was only in undemocratic countries that the press was oppressed. Photo: Team of Reporters
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Talk show host and commentator Edmund Maduro said he is willing to spend time at Her Majesty’s Prison at Balsam Ghut in defence of the rights of freedom of expression of the people of the Virgin Islands.

“Were it not for the freedom of speech and communication of the press, would slavery have been abolished?” Maduro asked on the EGM radio show aired on ZROD 103.7 FM last evening, February 20, 2014.

Maduro was at the time making reference to the National Democratic Party (NDP) government’s proposed Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act, 2013.

Opponents of the bill have argued that the bill is likely to interfere with existing freedom of expression laws in particular and also limit the scope of whistle blowers in the Territory.

“We are here now going to pass a law, it’s in the House being debated, to stop the press and talk show hosts from saying what is true and what is harmful to the people,” Maduro argued. He also noted that the NDP has enough members to pass the legislation given their majority.

Government issued a release earlier this week stating that there were a number of erroneous articles that appeared in the local and international media on the proposed legislation but did not specify which articles they were making reference to.

The release stated, “The Government of the Virgin Islands (BVI) confirms that the first reading and deliberations on the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act, 2013 took place on January 13 [2014]. The draft legislation will receive two further readings with the aim of being enacted by the House of Assembly in the coming weeks.”

It was further argued that, although the BVI Criminal Code, 1997 has certain provisions for the criminalising of certain acts of computer misuse, it does not sufficiently address the other aspects of cybercrime.

To this end, the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act, 2013 seeks to provide a comprehensive approach to deterring and punishing illegal activities relating to cybercrime and misuse of information.

“The press is indispensable, you cannot do without the press in any country,” the host stated firmly, “particularly a democratic country.”

Maduro said the fact that slavery was exposed and brought to the consciousness of the people at the time was the only reason that it was widely considered.

He added that if it were not for the press and freedom of communication in the United States, civil rights icon Rosa Parks may have still been sitting at the back of the bus. “Who would have heard what she had to say and who would have cared what she had to say?”

Co-host Rajah A. Smith added that it was only in undemocratic countries that the press was oppressed. “Look at places like Iran, Syria, Cuba, South Africa,” he said.

21 Responses to “Carry me to Balsam Ghut! – Edmund Maduro”

  • mother hen (21/02/2014, 09:22) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    The NDP just trying to hide their corruption
  • east and bull (21/02/2014, 09:38) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    Mado, its only one reason why you would want to go balo, case closed.
  • Virgin Son (21/02/2014, 09:49) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Wake up BVI and smell the coffee. Only u can make it happen
  • egg face (21/02/2014, 09:58) Like (3) Dislike (15) Reply
    we need an Arab Spring to foce out the NDP
    • Village Girl (21/02/2014, 11:18) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
      The current autocratic government's style has fascist undertones, but the media need not worry they will need you all soon!!!!!
    • ???????? (21/02/2014, 12:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      what is an Arab Spring?
      • Mick Mars (21/02/2014, 19:18) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        In 2010 there were a bunch of protests both violent and non violent, civil wars and riots from the opressed and disenfranchised people of many Arab nations that managed to force alot of corrupt leaders and governments out of power. Perfect example, the way how they ran Gadaffi out of Libiya.

        Wikipedia Arab_Summer for a better understanding.
  • tretretrete (21/02/2014, 10:05) Like (7) Dislike (7) Reply
    The hypocritical and duplicitous STANCE by dr. smith on this bill to shut down the media is not only astounding but quite SHAMEFUL
  • vip youth fan (21/02/2014, 10:16) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    Not to worry because we will repeal most of those stupid laws passed by majority ndp.
  • Yes (21/02/2014, 10:25) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    CARRY HIM TO SANDY LANE!!
  • love boat (21/02/2014, 10:50) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    so you mean the NDP no longer love the paparazzi?
  • The Truthg (21/02/2014, 10:55) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Is this a call to be in a cell with Pumpkin????? Lew we do this ting....lol
  • polo (21/02/2014, 10:59) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    good journalists are dying to get us, the public, the news - the simple truth. Dying. So let us not take for granted our freedom of the press. For every 1 bad journalist, there is one that dies for us. Let us never forget that.
  • she the cat mother (21/02/2014, 11:14) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Everyone is in favor of free speech. Hardly a day passes without its being applaud.

    Some people's idea of it, is that they are free to say what they like, but if anyone else says anything back, that is an outrage
  • up the hill (21/02/2014, 11:41) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    This man needs to be the first resident of Spooners Estate, even if it is a container until the place is built.
  • Bloggers (21/02/2014, 12:46) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Bloggers if we can't blog on line , we blogging in the street on every power poll in road town on every building every car on the pavement, the side walks, then we will see what the world thinks about us then. Only then would the tourist will have photos to take. We blogging all on your houses make a law about that!
  • tretretrete (21/02/2014, 13:26) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Have any of you commenting actually bothered to read what the act involves? The Government is not trying to stop freedom of the press. Please read and then decide. am not sure what happened to Edmund lately but he just seems to want to cause a confusion where it cant be found.
  • open wide (21/02/2014, 13:27) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Edmund tell it like it is..them had you on their side last time now you see that dem no good
  • legend (21/02/2014, 15:43) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    You trying to be a legend so bad...it ok edmund we will give you your props one of these days
  • wise up (22/02/2014, 18:51) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    when "U" go to vote come 2015 !!!!!!!!!


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