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Virgin Islands News Online turns 5

- New cartoon feature to be launched & New Editor in Chief hired; John E. Leonard no longer with company!
Mr Reuben J. A. Stoby has been appointed Editor-in-Chief of Virgin Islands News Online. He brings to the table some 12 years of experience in both broadcast and print journalism. Photo: VINO
Virgin Islands News Online has distinguished itself both locally and regionally, covering a variety of local, regional and international news. It has gained popularity for most often being first and accurate with breaking news, and with providing frequent updates, seven days a week, with factual details. Photo: VINO
Virgin Islands News Online has distinguished itself both locally and regionally, covering a variety of local, regional and international news. It has gained popularity for most often being first and accurate with breaking news, and with providing frequent updates, seven days a week, with factual details. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - The now popular online news site Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) - www.virginislandsnewsonline.com- has turned five (5) this month, March 2015 as it was launched on March 1, 2010.

The company, a subsidiary of its parent company Advance Marketing and Professional Services, has certainly cemented its converted position as the number one (1) online news site in the Virgin Islands.

The online media house, which prides itself on being innovative, fair, accurate, balanced and always first with real breaking news, was founded by the esteemed Julian Willock, a former Permanent Secretary  and entrepreneur, and Angela U. Burns, a veteran media practitioner who has worked for several local, regional and international news agencies.

Ms Burns has since given up her role as a Director and is no longer associated with the company or the news site; however, the other founder, Mr Willock, fills the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors, but maintains no editorial control of the day-to-day operations.

New Editor in Chief/John E. Leonard out!

The day-to-day-operations are run by an Editor-in-Chief. We are therefore pleased to announce the return of Mr Reuben J. A. Stoby who will hold the post of Editor-in-Chief. Mr Stoby comes to the table with some 12 years of experience in both broadcast and print journalism.

Mr Stoby is responsible for all editorial and story content and is the one to call on for any editorial issues, comments/blogs and questions about any story posted on the news site.

Meanwhile, the Marketing Manager John E. Leonard who operated from overseas has opted not to renew his contract with Advance Marketing and Professional Services and will no longer hold the post effective March 1, 2015. In the interim, while the Company recruits a new officer, the Chairman Mr Willock will handle marketing and revenue matters until such time as a suitable candidate is on board.

Mr Leonard, who is Canadian and had been with the company for two years, was the subject of many unwarranted criticism and harsh language from National Democratic Party Legislators. Many persons saw it as a smoke screen to get at the company’s esteemed Chairman Mr Willock.

New cartoon feature

Effective March 5, 2015 VINO will launch a new cartoon feature depicting topical commentary and issues in the Virgin Islands, both social, political, and otherwise. The cartoon feature will be posted each Wednesday on the home page and can also be seen on the inner pages and on our mobile site.

5 years of extraordinary journalism

Virgin Islands News Online has distinguished itself both locally and regionally, covering a variety of local, regional and international news. It has gained popularity for most often being first and accurate with breaking news, and with providing frequent and daily updates, seven days a week, with factual details.

The news site remains one of the few online news with a dedicated sports reporter, covering a variety of local sports, including horse racing, cricket, basketball, sailing, track and field, football and even the progress being made by our local college student athletes at American and European colleges and universities.

The readership and advertisers have certainly increased some 75% from 2010, since residents are always eager to see what Virgin Islands News Online is reporting.

VINO is also the only online news site and media house trusted by government and private sector whistle blowers, politicians, clergy, captains of industry and ordinary citizens to bring information or to get their message out. 

A free press must be preserved

A free and open press ensures that the government represents its people, and is held accountable by its citizens. It prevents actions of government propaganda and evil to mankind like the NAZIs of WW2 or current day North Korea. A free but responsible press puts the government and the private sector in the eyes of the normal man and women, reminding them that they are not an untouchable entity that the public has no control over.

VINO has had five years filled with highs and lows, but has certainly inspired its many readers, advertisers and fans that our online news site is here to stay and will continue to take on the big issues, while maintaining high journalistic standards in a fair, balanced and objective way.

We end by saying a big thank you to our staff, management, Team of Reporters, regional and international affiliates, the Board of Directors and our loyal readers and advertisers who have made this all possible.

We are pleased that we have honoured our commitment over the last five years- that this online news site will not be used by anyone, including Founders, staff, commentators, politicians, bloggers or others to advance any personal goals, attack or agenda, or to settle any scores with anyone.

We pledge to report the news objectively and free of partisan politics, something our record over the past five years has already attested to.

WE THANK YOU FOR THE FIRST FIVE YEARS OF MANY MORE YEARS TO COME.

40 Responses to “Virgin Islands News Online turns 5”

  • ccc (04/03/2015, 18:54) Like (9) Dislike (13) Reply
    Happy bday vino
  • wize up (04/03/2015, 19:12) Like (10) Dislike (9) Reply
    great: 5-long years; to all at Virgin Islands News Online keep the faith and the best days are yet ahead
  • Realist (04/03/2015, 19:37) Like (8) Dislike (25) Reply
    The best online newsite in the VI. Happy 5th Birthday VINO!!!
  • thank you (04/03/2015, 20:21) Like (5) Dislike (8) Reply
    Happy 5th birthday. God bless this online mass media for keeping the general public well informed.
  • farmer brown (04/03/2015, 20:46) Like (12) Dislike (68) Reply
    Nice looking forward to the cartoon part.....
  • mvw (04/03/2015, 21:35) Like (8) Dislike (13) Reply

    Well we do not have John to kick around anymore...

    • @ mvw (05/03/2015, 07:51) Like (3) Dislike (10) Reply
      For real but they know they can’t touch the esteemed so let me sit back and eat me popcorn and see how they deal with VINO when it breaks accurate news on um …back to my tea bag!!!
  • ooooo (04/03/2015, 22:56) Like (12) Dislike (57) Reply
    thank you vino for showing us the dark side of the NDP
  • fish mooney (04/03/2015, 23:53) Like (6) Dislike (6) Reply
    i must admit I love this site...
  • my advise (04/03/2015, 23:57) Like (6) Dislike (16) Reply
    VINOpleae tell teh govermet they need to put more hungry, desperate and impatient people to work.
  • ... (04/03/2015, 23:58) Like (10) Dislike (31) Reply
    Don't Stop De media Progress and information VINO !!!...
    Tun-E-up, up, up, up, up, up & up !!!...
  • dog (05/03/2015, 00:37) Like (7) Dislike (9) Reply
    thank you for not cherry picking and censoring responses to stories. thank you for seeming approachable and for telling the human interest stories, and for publishing community complaints that are indicative of the bigger problem. Thank you for writing more stories on environmental and developmental issues and for printing radio programmes that can't be listened to. Remember, even though some hosts are heavy-handed, there is usually a small bit of truth to what is being said. We need to hear all opinions and decide for ourselves what to believe. And that comes with having the information available. One newspaper is a monopoly. That's why we need more sources. Now, I encourage more INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM to get to the root of these cloudy deals and stories. Officials need to be made accountable for their actions and to follow the law. Thank you Vino!
  • xxxxxxxx (05/03/2015, 00:41) Like (6) Dislike (12) Reply
    Kus VINo on the big 5..where is the party ..VINO remains a friend of mommy, daddy, teachers, a taxi-men, bus-drivers, civil servants, the police..the true people's site etc.
  • Kingfish (05/03/2015, 01:00) Like (10) Dislike (5) Reply
    Remember the Bill the NDP brought to censor VINO...but the people who love democracy and freedom say we thank our god in heaven for this news site and we need a government that truly put the people first.
  • yellow (05/03/2015, 07:39) Like (10) Dislike (5) Reply
    Lawd ah mussy VINO you good I love your cartoon! Ting to talk
  • yes (05/03/2015, 08:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    Nice

  • -------------------- (05/03/2015, 09:47) Like (5) Dislike (37) Reply
    VINO you growing up fast…
  • Schups (05/03/2015, 11:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Where is Mr. Leonard's picture?
  • fish (05/03/2015, 12:51) Like (6) Dislike (16) Reply
    I see funny man bloging all day on bvi news but we know better
  • GT (05/03/2015, 13:22) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Stoby boy you got a big work ahead of you!!
  • All the best (05/03/2015, 14:59) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congrats Stoby! Welcome back!

    Lavi!
  • for real (05/03/2015, 18:44) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

    congratulations, people love you, Keep it up

  • wwwww (05/03/2015, 19:46) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Vino run things
  • Concern 1 (05/03/2015, 19:48) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Felicidades! VINO may you continue to blessing and fresh air to your many users. GRACIAS A DIOS
  • GoonSquad (05/03/2015, 22:12) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Vino is still the people's choice
  • be be (05/03/2015, 22:39) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    To me, the other online news sites appears filled with nothing but propaganda and opinionated articles in support of the wicked NDP If your comment isn’t in line with their agenda don’t expect to see it posted especally if you are hitting the NDP That’s the sort of behavior you would only expect to see in a country that begins with “The People’s Republic of NDP”
  • good work (06/03/2015, 21:02) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    i just saw your cartoon VINO That had me rolling
  • tt (06/03/2015, 22:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Keep your good works up vino do not mind the noise
  • 911 (09/03/2015, 06:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    IT YOU WANT REAL NEWS VINO IT THE SITE BAM BAM


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