BVI News erroneous article left local mother 'distraught'- Kenneth G. Gladstone
In a Facebook live video last evening, June 28, 2020, Mr Gladstone, while commending the government for its COVID-19 public relations and communications strategy, lashed out at certain sections of the media over the reckless reporting.
"I think I need to talk about it because it is not doing good for any of us, and when the day is done some of us are going to put ourselves in very serious trouble," he said.
Mr Gladstone further lashed out, "I wouldn't normally come on here like this to talk about anything except regular programming, but I had to do this because I am not sure where we are going, if we even understand what we are doing," he said.
Fake News!
On Saturday, June 27, 2020, BVI News published a breaking news article entitled, "Two locals believed to be carrying COVID-19 land in BVI."
In the erroneous and sensational news story, the tabloid claimed, “Highly-placed sources told our news centre that the individuals were travelling from Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic when they were tested in-transit and found to be carriers of the virus."
A day later, Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Carvin Malone (AL) debunked the report as false and noted that the two persons have both tested negative for the virus but are still undergoing the mandatory 14-day quarantine.
Now, according to Gladstone, the report should never have existed in the first place, since the media house lacked facts.
Mother left devastated
"Now if people don't have facts, how can you, big national media house be reporting on a matter; and everybody knows the two people who they kept under the tent outside the airport... this is how irresponsible we have become," he said.
He said the mother of one of the individuals was left devastated after reading the article, "and the mother sent me a copy of it, she was so distraught," he said.
In the over 10 minute commentary, Gladstone continued, "People are going to sue some of you if you don't cut this madness, some of you going to end up in the courthouse," Mr Gladstone said.
'Keep your stupid mouths shut!' - Gladstone
"This is madness, you can't go on big public nation media with a report saying two people are believed to be carrying... and now [that] the minister has done his test everybody is negative," he said.
He questioned the reasoning of the local news website to 'grab stupidity' and publish it. "I don't get it... media is supposed to be responsible. If you don't have the facts, keep your stupid mouth shut!"
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33 Responses to “BVI News erroneous article left local mother 'distraught'- Kenneth G. Gladstone”
Once we not letting in them i***** p***** here we will be okay because them does carry that virus
take your knees off island people neck tks you.
@tamtam
How many of those persons arriving on that Seaborne flight originated from Santo Domingo ? How many persons would have traveled Santo to San Juan to Tortola ? The mother could reasonably conclude that from that information. Does she have a case? No ad they did not call any names.
There is an obvious race to get the news out between these local media houses that can at times lead to irresponsible journalism. This is one of those times. They could have waited to get more facts or even more corroboration but no.
What is the issue..no names mentioned. No one singled out. Every one quarantined.
Reality is the truth we do not know,no matter what the Gov says.
Previous rumors were true .
If anything she needs to show her face and be open about her concern. She smart though. Choosing to be ridiculous and silly while anonymous
d
This virus can hit or touch any one regardless of who you are in society but it is how we handle the people and the scenario pertaining to a matter. No love lost here I'm just stating facts.
..some of our people are more dangerous and deadly than the Virus