Premier & new Director of Communications faced hostile press @ Oct 6, 2023 PC
It was on Friday, October 6, 2023, when Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) held a press conference to update the Territory on his trip to Monaco and his presentation at the United Nations in New York among other topics.
Prior to the press conference, the press claimed to be peeved that press passes were necessary for the event as told to them by Mrs Christopher.
However, on the day of the press conference held at the Premier’s Conference Room, verbal exchanges got hostile. This was particularly so with controversial Rosemary Cindy Rosan from new media Guavaberry Media and Zan Lewis from ZBVI Radio Station 780 AM.
Were they rude?
Ms Rosan, who is labeled by some as a 'hater' of locals (including Premier Wheatley) while protecting the Governor and UK Police Officers, was confrontational over the issue of how many questions to ask.
Mrs Christopher noted that each journalist had three questions, however, there was confusion over whether the follow-up questions were counted as part of the three questions.
Ms Rosan and Mrs Christopher exchanged words, with Ms Rosan being disrespectful and at one time trying to take the microphone from another reporter.
Mrs Christopher asked Ms Rosan to take a seat; however, she fired back, telling the host, “No, you take a seat.”
This behaviour was displayed on live TV in the presence of the Premier, the Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5), and the Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4).
Ms Rosan was asked to comment on the matter but only said: "At this point, my position doesn’t matter. The story is written. There’s a continued clear attack on me but it’s all good."
She has also stated she believes the story was written by former Speaker Julian Willock, who is the Chairman of the Board for Virgin Islands News Online (VINO).
Don’t tell me what to ask- Zan Lewis
Then ZBVI’s Zan Lewis also had an exchange, telling Mrs Christopher not to tell him “what questions to ask”, after she made clear that the press conference was about some specific topics.
He also refused to refer to the Junior Minister, Hon Hodge-Smith, as “Honourable” and instead addressed her as “Luce”.
Mr Lewis, when asked for a comment, said he was not willing to comment on a story he believed was written by Mr Willock.
Many residents and other reporters believed and alleged that both reporters were rude, unprofessional, and out of order.
It is unclear what will happen at the next press conference and if a press pass system will be instituted.
Mrs Christopher was asked for a comment but only said, "I want to engage with the media more given my role."
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51 Responses to “Premier & new Director of Communications faced hostile press @ Oct 6, 2023 PC”
It breaks my heart to see that our own BVIslanders have not been pursuing degrees in journalism! The government needs to look for its own people to take up their rightful places in their country. All I am seeing in these press conferences are foreigners!
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IT NEEDS ANOTHER COI BECAUSE THEY LEARNT NOTHING AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS NEED INVESTIGATING!
when last a white person, an indian, a Chinese, a Japanese or phillipino gun they own kind in our country
Our own people just keep destroying our country so when more police comes to our country it is our own people that trigger the move
We might so because a second class citizens in our own country
Secondly when you leave certain individuals unchecked for too long this is what happens.
Thirdly all looters during Irma should have faced the consequences and not be protected.
Fourthly - it is clear to us the viewing and listening public that this unruly behaviour is personal. This press behaviour would never be tolerated elsewhere. We the public need to demand better.
I am again asking you to stop it now.
I am also sure that Zan would have never monkey up himself like that in front of Comrade Ralph Gonsalves. That is the monster we created in the BVI when we cheered his uncouth behaviour over the years.
Cindy, Cindy, Cindy. Thats all I am going to say for now.
The press provides a valuable service to the community. However, its institutional image, reputation,integrity valuable service, etc is tarnished, trust lost, integrity lost, confidence in diminished , etc when it behaves in an unprofessional manner, trying to score cheap political points. Its focus should be on the facts, not politics. If politics comes out in the facts so be it.