Media & Talk Show Hosts held meeting over Cyber Bill
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.
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