Update: Miss BVI blasts Platinum News for 'inaccuracy' in article about her
She also made it clear that her “position on prizes awarded to me” was not an expression of a lack of gratitude.
The site in question is reportedly the pro-government BVI Platinum News and the article was reportedly about the reigning Miss BVI Sharie deCastro allegedly being “unhappy with car”, a prize that was offered to her for winning the Miss BVI crown on August 5, 2012.
Virgin Islands News Online was made to understand that persons within the Miss BVI circle are outraged at the article, which they said seems to be an attempt to portrait the queen in a negative light.
Among deCastro's prizes for winning the pageant was a car, which she had allegedly requested be changed as it did not have the capacity to climb steep hills and also parts for the maintenance of the vehicle would have been difficult to source in the VI. The queen had also reportedly requested to pay the difference if exchanging the vehicle would have been at an additional cost to the VIF&F Committee.
The Committee had agreed to reach Ms deCastro’s request, however, a source close to the deCastro family said the writer of the article did not even seek to contact the queen before publishing the article, which seems to suggest that the queen is ‘ungrateful’.
“Be advised that a mutual understanding was reached with myself and the BVI Festival and Fairs Committee, which was not forced or in any way, on my part, an expression of a lack of gratitude,” Ms deCastro said in the statement.
Additionally, she said, at no time was consent given to any media, camp-member or committee member to speak on her behalf. “Please note that I am fully capable of providing a public statement or voicing my own opinion on any issue if the need arises,”
When contacted for clarification on portions of the statement issued, however, Ms deCastro said she was currently in discussion with the VIF&F Committee and would not have been able to say anything in addition to the statement issued.
In her statement, Ms deCastro had also said that she remained completely dedicated to any cause that created and maintained a positive environment for VIslanders, residents and visitors alike, however, this reality “is daily challenged by the pessimistic views and actions of some and we should all stand in solidarity against such.”
“As such, I feel obligated to remind us all including our local media of our moral responsibility to ensure that information being disseminated to the public is balanced, unbiased and newsworthy. In fact, this should be the personal goal of all, but especially the influential voices within our community.”
In closing, Ms deCastro said her commitment to maintaining a professional and respectable relationship with the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committees has been consistent and looks forward to a continued collaborative partnership to ensure that the Virgin Islands is well represented and at the highest levels possible.
See previous story posted on subject:
The media has put a bitter taste in people’s mouth- Marvin Blyden
- Accuses pro-government site BVI Platinum News of reporting information given off record
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Chairman of the Virgin Islands Festivals and Fairs Committee, Mr. Marvin Blyden is upset that an online news site reportedly ran with a story on information that was given off the record and is now stirring controversy in the public domain.
The site in question is reportedly the pro-government BVI Platinum News and the article was reportedly about the reigning Miss BVI Sharie deCastro allegedly being “unhappy with car”, a prize that was offered to her for winning the Miss BVI crown on August 5, 2012.
Virgin Islands News Online was made to understand that persons within the Miss BVI circle are outraged at the article, which they said seems to be an attempt to portrait the queen in a negative light.
Among deCastro's prizes for winning the pageant was a car, which she had allegedly requested be changed as it did not have the capacity to climb steep hills and also parts for the maintenance of the vehicle would have been difficult to source in the VI. The queen had also reportedly requested to pay the difference if exchanging the vehicle would have been at an additional cost to the VIF&F Committee.
The Committee had agreed to reach Ms deCastro’s request, however, a source close to the deCastro family said the writer of the article did not even seek to contact the queen before publishing the article, which seems to suggest that the queen is ‘ungrateful’.
Virgin Islands News Online was made to understand that Ms deCastro plans to make a statement in response to the article, which has allegedly caused her much embarrassment.
When contacted for clarification on the issue, Mr. Blyden said he was not going to speak to any media as he was already disappointed that a reporter from BVI Platinum News had ran with a story from information given “off the record”.
“The media has put a bitter taste in people’s mouth,” Mr Blyden said.
105 Responses to “Update: Miss BVI blasts Platinum News for 'inaccuracy' in article about her”
We will speak at the elections
What does she wants a BMW ? The calypso king accepted his prize.
You cannot publish LIES about people in the public domain then further allow strangers to put defaming language against you again in the public domain behind a computer calling it blogs. What kind of journalists (you can only find them on Platinum) publish a story without even consulting with the sources involved and even when confronted with the truth?, refused to correct it!!!,
Thanks for bringing this to our attention, and I am so proud that we still have a news site we can depend on for accurate reporting...I guess that is why they hate you all so much.
You must guard against compromising your high standards and I say please do not stoop to Platinum tabloid (they are the enquirer of the BVI) level and get involved in a mud-slinging match. You still have your reputation for professionalism, getting it first and right. Just ignore them and continue to report the facts only.
I have watched you grown over the last two years and everybody on the street talks good about you VINO. Keep up the good work. BVI Platinum news has lost their reputation years ago, but that is no reason for you to ever sink to their level. Keep on your path of high lever and proper research before you post an article!
The site was used by the NDP to get the VIP out of office; you have remained objective and have not took site. Platinum do not ever have the professionalism to post my blogs that does not support there NDP, where as VINO post blogs from both site. Leave them alone VINO do not go to their level...You have already showed you are above the childish petty things.
them playing smart looking fame they envey Vino bam sock it to them mr Blyden put platium in them place
what a long it too for platium to get shut up ha ha