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Mischievous CoI? Premier says selectively releasing info is skewing public opinion

- reiterate calls for full broadcast of proceedings to be made available on radio & online
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has called for a more transparent Inquiry, where more information is to be made available to the public and the media, so that a full picture of the Inquiry can be formed as it related to public opinion. Photo: GIS/Facebook
Commissioner Gary R. Hickinbottom, left, and Press Secretary Mr Steven Chandler, right. Photo: VINO/File
Commissioner Gary R. Hickinbottom, left, and Press Secretary Mr Steven Chandler, right. Photo: VINO/File
The Premier called for the broadcast of the proceeding on the internet and radio in the least, and also called for CoI to make the transmission of the proceeding available for easy public consumption. Photo: Internet Source
The Premier called for the broadcast of the proceeding on the internet and radio in the least, and also called for CoI to make the transmission of the proceeding available for easy public consumption. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has called for a more transparent Commission of Inquiry (CoI), where more information is to be made available to the public and the media so that a full picture of the Inquiry can be presented to the public and the world.

Premier Fahie, in an update this afternoon, Thursday, May 20, 2021, said that while transcripts are being made available on the CoI website, it is not enough.

Only part of the picture is being released - Premier Fahie 

“I do continue to believe that in the interest of fairness, transparency and public information, that it is a disservice to the Virgin Islands People to have part of the picture available to the public and part of the picture concealed from the public,” he said.

Hon Fahie continued, “And then to expect the public to form a vision of the complete picture even though it is a fact that they have been deprived of the totality of the information.”

He said the public deserves the benefit of the complete truth and the benefit to analyse information and form their own conclusions, through the availability of all transcripts of all public witnesses and not to be 'fed snippets' as is the CoI's current strategy.

Online & radio broadcasts needed - Premeir 

The Premier called for the broadcast of the proceeding on the internet and radio in the least, and also called for the CoI to make the transmission of the proceeding available for easy public consumption.

“Broadcast of the proceeding makes it easier for the public to access and digest the proceeding, it is important to note that the media can only do so much,” he said noting that persons would not have to time to comb transcripts and the media's reporting is subject to editorial decisions. 

While many media house on the VI has been locked out of the CoI except for what little information is released by its Press Secretary, Mr Steven Chandler, Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) has understood that a local online media house is reportedly working with the Inquiry to support its alleged propaganda-driven public relations.

Dangers in 'sensational headlines' - Premier Fahie  

The Premier hinted that the CoI public relations strategy appears to be fuelling public misinformation in the territory. 

“The dangers to the public interest is that when members of the public become attached to snippets and catchy, sensational headlines and feel that those represent all that a witness said or everything that happed in the sitting, then the result is not public information, but public misinformation,” Hon Fahie said. 

According to the Leader of Government Business, the result is that people with bits and pieces of incomplete information are 'trying the inquiry' in the public domain, and this he says cannot be an objective of the CoI, its sponsors, and is not an objective of the VI Government.  

20 Responses to “Mischievous CoI? Premier says selectively releasing info is skewing public opinion”

  • DAYS ARE NUMBERED (20/05/2021, 15:22) Like (15) Dislike (4) Reply
    That's all we have to say.
  • Ghut Man (20/05/2021, 15:27) Like (18) Dislike (6) Reply
    Selectively releasing? The COI hasn't released any information whatsoever as yet.
  • Lucifer (20/05/2021, 15:28) Like (51) Dislike (2) Reply
    The transcripts and documents are available for review on the COI website. Is the premier suggesting the transcripts are not accurate?

    Was Ms. Lake taken out of context when she said that she destroys all records as soon as she gets paid for a job or that she never had to tender for government contracts?

    • Watching on.. (20/05/2021, 16:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      The man ain't say anything about the content of the transcripts. He said the full picture should be placed on the internet (i'm thinking voice clips) or radio. Thats all...

      Although I don't see that happening.
    • @Lucifer (20/05/2021, 16:00) Like (0) Dislike (18) Reply
      stop being so dramatic because lake have the right to destroy her document(its hers)

      whoever issued the contract must have an original copy(sense alone should tell you that) then again common sense is not so common

      one thing with black people we do not think before we pull down our own black as a matter we cant wait

      meanwhile no one questions snow flake how he or she came into possession with what they have
      • SHUT UP (20/05/2021, 19:30) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
        No she does not. Under BVI Law it’s 7 years or so that you must retain documents. And I’m pretty sure she’s doing it under her development company which makes her in trouble with the FSC. Stop being ignorant! Furthermore why the need to destroy. That’s a bull$$11 excuse right there. I think she may have made life a little more complicated for herself.
        • @ SHUT UP (20/05/2021, 20:28) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
          80% sure that you need documentation to be in this territory prove us wrong full of chat
    • HAHA (20/05/2021, 17:18) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
      Well that's why you need videos because even with the transcript you are misunderstanding what she said. Patsy isn't a contractor or someone that would have to bid for a government contract. Her services besides leasing office buildings are one offs. From what I understand by reading the transcript she rents furniture etc, not every thing in government goes to tender for a bid, it has to be above a certain amount. That's why some of them be splitting contracts up many ways to be under the threshold. There is no way renting a few tables, chairs ,table cloth for a teachers appreciation dinner etc will be the amount that requires tender. Now not keeping a record of payment receipts for the "hotel" is another thing even if she calls it a small business but that's great news to anyone that may have taken their side thing there for an evening.
  • Remember (20/05/2021, 16:20) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Premier says "The public deserves the benefit of the complete truth". I hope he remembers that when he gives his evidence.
    • Point proven! (21/05/2021, 06:45) Like (0) Dislike (6) Reply
      HE ALREADY GAVE EVIDENCE ON TUESDAY.
      YOUR IGNORANT COMMENT JUST PROVES THE PREMIER’S POINT.
  • SUPPORT JUSTICE FOR ALL. (20/05/2021, 17:13) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    SUPPORT THE CoI PROBE INTO CORRUPTION THAT IS ONGOING IN THE B.V.I. FOR MANY YEARS PAST AND CONTINUING. IT IS THE RIGHT THINGTO DO. We need the CoI to help us idenrify the wolves among us. They the wolves need to be defanged, whether they be Business wolves, political wolves, pastorial wolves, etc.
  • Interesting (20/05/2021, 18:15) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    @Support Justice For All Long history, of blatant cookie jar raids.
  • @ @ LUCIFER (20/05/2021, 21:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    SOMETHING TOUCHED YOU MY FRIEND ? WELL ITS JUST GETTING WARMED UP , SO KEEP ON HOLLERING / HELL AWAITS THEE
    • The Bible dont lie (21/05/2021, 06:44) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      How much people these people in power vitimize, oppressed and hurt...Some people barely make 20 yrs and already got belongrr status, because of connections, while others here 30 plus still waiting, maybe the COI need to look into that also....The good book say Whats goes around comes around, The table will turn, u do people bad badness will follow you, whatever a man soweth he shall reap.....This COI is God's will and it must be done.....
  • Rubber Duck (21/05/2021, 05:49) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    It’s wonderful how the COI lawyer is setting these yo-yos up for the fall. “ You do understand that you have to declare an interest “ Priceless.
  • Skewed (21/05/2021, 09:31) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sorry I feel more informed than skewed by reading the various transcripts on the CoI website. Audio and videos of these CoI proceedings might add some drama but no substance so why bother. All you need to know is right there in the written transcript!


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