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Media & Talk Show Hosts held meeting over Cyber Bill

- group to further study document before making next move
Talk show hosts Edmund G. Maduro (right) and Rajah A. Smith held a meeting at the Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre on March 14, 2014 to discuss the now passed Computer Misuse and Cyber Crime Act, 2013 with media houses. Photo: VINO
Mr Maduro (right) expressed disappointment with the fact that some of the invited media houses failed to turn up to the meeting. Photo: VINO
Mr Maduro (right) expressed disappointment with the fact that some of the invited media houses failed to turn up to the meeting. Photo: VINO
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI – Talk show hosts Edmund G. Maduro and Rajah A. Smith held a meeting at the Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre in Sea Cows Bay on March 14, 2014 to discuss the now passed Computer Misuse and Cyber Crime Act, 2013 with media houses.

Speaking at the meeting, Smith stated that if the New York Times or Wall Street Journal, both United States (US) publications, were to publish articles that subjected them to prosecution, the US would not extradite anyone to the Virgin Islands for trial simply because the law is considered unconstitutional by persons in that jurisdiction.

The talk show hosts said it was unclear what amendments were made to the bill before its passing on March 14, 2014. At the meeting the organisers could not say what their plans were for taking the issue further.

Asked what next for the group, Mr Maduro said following the meeting, “Well we are working on it; the group that met has decided to study the documentation (the Bill) before we make any official move, but we are still on the move to do what is right. We want to protect our country against what is wrong.”

“We hope that the Governor is not ignorant enough to assent to the Bill, we hope that Her Majesty the Queen isn’t that ignorant, and I am not being rude to her. The Constitution gives us these freedoms, and if Her Majesty or the Government is to act contrary to the Constitution they will either have to form a new Constitution or suspend it and become a dictatorship,” he said.

Mr Maduro expressed disappointment with the fact that some of the invited media houses failed to turn up. He said too that they were rude to him when he called them asking why they did not show. “Those people in the future when they call I will tell them go to hell. I don’t like to deal with hypocrites. You see the kinds of fines they have? And we are going to sit down like dumb animals and let this thing go through on us?” he asked.

“It is a known fact that no law can be contrary to the Constitution. I am not going to give up, if I have to do it alone I will do it alone, even if I lose,” said Mr Maduro.

In attendance at the meeting were personnel from Virgin Islands News Online, the BVI Beacon and Island Sun newspaper, along with Mr Conrad A. Maduro and Mr Alred C. Frett.

A source close to the House of Assembly told Virgin Islands News Online that the amendments made to the Bill were not substantial and did not address the concerns of media houses with regards to its potential to muzzle their right to free speech. The piece of legislation, sections of which have been deemed unconstitutional, has also drawn criticism from regional and international sources some of whom made contact with Virgin Islands News Online voicing their concern and asking how it is that they could lend support.

10 Responses to “Media & Talk Show Hosts held meeting over Cyber Bill”

  • Yes (16/03/2014, 09:51) Like (6) Dislike (7) Reply
    Schups. A parrot puppet and an idiot.
    • pat (16/03/2014, 14:18) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      say that when your rights are taken away.
    • cuba (16/03/2014, 15:44) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      All of the misinformation and obfuscation from the NDP government now that the press is silence is very troubling-
  • ccc (16/03/2014, 10:23) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
    Too late the bill done past
  • facts man (16/03/2014, 11:03) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    If ayo tink dey ndp studyin ayo dey only way to deal wid dey ndp dictatorship is via dey ballot box bam
  • wise up (16/03/2014, 11:54) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    can we simply send maduro on a "world cruise"; he always have nothing to say until somthing is done...mr maduro, tell the people of the Virgin Islands what changes you want to see added to the bill; in other words,what is "your" input...you need to bring something of value to the citzens of the virgin islands(no more hot air)
  • shelia (16/03/2014, 15:43) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    it is unfathomably terrifying to imagine another 4 years of NDP rule!!!!!.
    • wise up (17/03/2014, 06:42) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      i agree with you; should NDP evey win come 2014; i am taking my family to live in alaska..another 4-years of NDP this place will become just like cuba or russia where the citzen have no say in maing new laws
  • yes (16/03/2014, 21:04) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Conrad Maduro need to go sit down
  • 1 (20/03/2014, 03:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    There are legitimate privacy concerns, but there are also legitimate national security considerations and I don't think reasonable people can deny both.


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