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NDP Media Censor Bill back on HoA agenda for July 22 Sitting!

The Computer Misuse & Cybercrime Act 2014 is to receive a request for the Suspension of Standing Order so it’s passed the same day when reintroduced tomorrow
Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn (right) has done nothing in Parliament or offered any meaningful contributions however, he spends his time being childish and critical of the online news media. At one point he singled out a particular media house and insulted the staff of the media house. Joining him now is Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith who blasted the media over coverage of his wife whom he had given a consultant contract to and at one point named her the Interim Director of the new BVI Office in Asia. Photo: VINO/File
So anxious to pass their media censor bill the National Democratic Party Leader of government business in the House of Assembly (HoA) Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith will move a motion to suspend the Standing Orders so that his Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act 2014 gets all its readings, so it can pass the same day. This type of action by a government to suspend the House Standing Order sec 52 (2) and (3) is usually reserved for national state of emergencies. Photo: VINO/File
So anxious to pass their media censor bill the National Democratic Party Leader of government business in the House of Assembly (HoA) Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith will move a motion to suspend the Standing Orders so that his Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act 2014 gets all its readings, so it can pass the same day. This type of action by a government to suspend the House Standing Order sec 52 (2) and (3) is usually reserved for national state of emergencies. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Media freedom under a National Democratic Party (NDP) Administration continues to be under attack as the Virgin Islands (VI) is on the verge of losing its democratic way of life.

If the trend continues the VI could be seen in the eyes of the world inline with other totalitarian regimes/countries such as Cuba, North Korea, China, Laos, Vietnam and some countries in Africa where the state controls  all press freedom.

The NDP continues to be hostile to freedom of the press and had passed a bill named the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act 2013 on March 13, 2014 aimed at shutting down media houses, putting journalists in jail and charging them with huge fines.

It remained unclear if the United Kingdom appointed Governor of the Virgin Islands William B. McCleary had signed the Bill when it passed in the House of Assembly (HoA) on March 13 of this year or why the need to return the Bill to the HoA.

Pass the Bill now!

Another interesting fact is that the Premier Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith is requesting that the HoA Standing Orders be suspended via a motion so the bill can have all its readings and pass the Parliament on the same day.
This type of action by a government to suspend the House Standing Order sec 52 (2) and (3) is usually reserved for national state of emergencies.

While this news site has not obtained a copy of the Bill persons close to the Act told our news site that there are some amendments in the Bill that could further tighten the noose around the media’s neck especially the online news sites.

According to the same source the online news sites have always been the target of this Administration.

The Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act 2013 when passed earlier this year was condemned by the International community, regional media organizations and the local media fraternity.

However, the NDP regime claims it is not a media silencing Bill but only there to protect the Financial  Services Sector and that these types of Bills are found all over the world.

NDP History of hostility to the press

Since coming to power in November 2011 the NDP has been very hostile to press freedom. The Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn did nothing for two years to improve education, sports or Culture but spent all his time in the HoA viciously attacking the media and the staff of one particular online news site.

Recently, the Premier Dr. Smith has joint in being critical of the media and has blasted online news media over coverage of his wife whom he hired as a government consultant under an “arrangement" from 2012. 

Unpopular At-Large NDP member Honourable Archibald C. Christian a first term Legislator who his critics say after some two and a half years in office cannot point to one thing he has done for the Territory beside photo opps about cleaning up the Virgin Islands has also been critical of the media.

Once the Bill is debated and passed in the Eighth Sitting of the Third Session of the Second House of Assembly on  July 22, 2014 this news site will bring more information.

31 Responses to “NDP Media Censor Bill back on HoA agenda for July 22 Sitting!”

  • name (21/07/2014, 16:12) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    That is not democracy. Is not their name National Democratic Party? That type of behavior sounds like a National Dictatorship Party.
  • ccc (21/07/2014, 16:15) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    The time will come when the ndp needs the media
  • ABC (21/07/2014, 16:20) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    Had this Bill been made law as the NDP had hoped, that article about the Premier and his spouse would have resulted in VINO being fined or silenced. Hmmm.
  • vex (21/07/2014, 17:01) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    What ah thing to tell the King
  • facts man (21/07/2014, 17:20) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Leave them man this bill will come back to hunt them
  • dictators (21/07/2014, 17:33) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    They can't take the heat. How much time you see people talk about Mr DeCastro and VIP and Mr Maduro. You ever see them try to muzzle the freedom of speech? If they had done right by the people and done all the rosy things they campaigned to do they would not be trying to bully and silence the media. You think when that minister told that resident from Jost Van Dyke that he will suck salt because he ain't vote for him and turn around and give works to outsiders for them to send money out of the BVI that was not the actions of a dictator?
    • Yes (21/07/2014, 19:13) Like (1) Dislike (14) Reply

      Blah blah. Ndp will still win. No ideas you jusr blog s..t all day.

      • to LOL (22/07/2014, 05:34) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        You are delusional to think the NDP will win again. Further what ideas are you talking about? NDP were the ones who said they will fix the country. The state of the country is worse and even though they in control they run from accepting the responsibility of making it worse. Running a country is more than sweet campaign talk. What happened to their ideas? Why you now want our ideas? Why should we give you ideas when you and your NDP will turn around and leave the people to suck salt?
      • @ lol (22/07/2014, 08:21) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
        keep dreaming mvw the basket thing in VG will not help you....wheel and come again
  • kids (21/07/2014, 17:37) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Ndp need to stop leave the media that same bill they want pass will affect them later on dr smith just upset about the thing that my best news site say about his wife what is facts
  • wize up (21/07/2014, 18:23) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    if the people continue to sit-back then these dumb law will take effect; we do nothing and keep forgetting the people have the power to make change; unity is strength.....come like this administration have ting to hide???
    • @wize up (22/07/2014, 09:30) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Sometimes you talk pure crap and other times you wising up!

      I think if you spell you name correctly you may wise up with more messages like this that make sense.
  • Freedom of speech (21/07/2014, 20:05) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Wait, wait, wait, this can’t been the same party, when one of their members disrespected the then Premier, calling him an emperor without clothes and wasn’t some other disparaging remark made about the then Hon Dancia Penn? Weren’t they exercising their freedom of speech?
  • Voters (21/07/2014, 20:29) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ndp do not pass this bill!
  • facts man (21/07/2014, 20:53) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Look all the licks fraser dem got and never censor the media eh?
  • scarface (21/07/2014, 22:35) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    "every dog has his day"
  • Voters (22/07/2014, 06:08) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lol. Yeah de man. Fraser dem get some flogging in they skin but they man up. The media is the least of NDP problems. Trying to muzzle the media is not will not make the country problems go away. Infact the voters will just add it to the growing list of Ndp fails. But wait a min. Are we not supposed to be celebrating our freedom this August? And NDP is going to come with a law trying to stop the freedom of speech? Do not mind the fancy words on the bill. That is what it means - stopping the freedom of speech. This is what they want to give us the people for our emancipation. This thing is really serious.
    • Huh? (22/07/2014, 09:34) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      Point to the section of this Bill which limits your Freedom of speech. Do you even know what Freedom of speech is?
    • trrefdrfds (23/07/2014, 13:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      THERE YOU GO AGAIN THEY ARE STUDYING THINGS THAT CANNOT BENEFIT THE COUNTRY OR HELP THE POOR MAN IF THE OPPOSITION IS TALKIN THE TRUTH WHY DO YOU ALL WANT TO CENSOR IT, THAT IS WHY I KNOW NDP IS PLAYING GAMES, TALK WILL ALWAYS BE THERE SO GET WITH THE PROGRAM NDP AND BRING SOMETHING ELSE TO THE HOUSE THAT CAN BENEFIT WE BVISLANDERS NOT THIS HOG WASH BOUT CENSOR BILL
  • True colors (22/07/2014, 06:26) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lawd NDP, just when I did not think you could make it worst for the Country and yourself you go and do this. Trying to take away the freedom of speech? Turning dictatorship now?
  • fish (22/07/2014, 07:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    God is good leave them to him
  • open wide (22/07/2014, 07:42) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Listen out on how they try to spin this bill set of freedom killers
  • pat (22/07/2014, 10:46) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    What kills me is they got the balls to say the bill is not to censor the press come on now some of us could read and write!!!!!!
  • yellow (22/07/2014, 11:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    more ndp controversy
  • bvi (22/07/2014, 12:08) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    We are supposed to be an demorcy, are we not?.
  • Read (22/07/2014, 14:24) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    I need to get a copy of this act to read for myself.
  • David (22/07/2014, 16:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This could very well be the death knell of the NDP.


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