Talking Points hosts challenge local media on responsible journalism



During Talking Points on Monday, June 30, 2025, on ZBVI 780 AM, the media came under scrutiny for its reporting of these two important matters.
Mr Elvin G. Grant said on the Bank of Asia and the VI’s five million dollar deposit, “I just want to caution everyone to wait for the investigation, let all the facts come out, and then you know everyone is sensible enough to make up their own minds, once the facts are on the table.”
The media has a responsibility to the VI- Violet Thomas-Gaul
Mrs Violet Thomas-Gaul said that while she agrees the matter should be investigated, everyone should take a step back.
“There is a lot of supposition and innuendos going around, and we need to stop it. I would suggest that everyone step back and stop putting this Territory in a bad light, which it has already happened, and it is getting progressively worse.”
Without naming any particular news entity in the VI, Mrs Thomas-Gaul cautioned the media to stop publishing pieces that negatively showcase the VI.
“If you call yourself a news media and you live in this BVI, stop it, okay, because we cannot afford for this territory to be labelled the way it is being labelled because of the news you’re putting out…we need to know that the media we have a responsibility to the territory and to everyone just to look for the facts…you may not like somebody but that doesn't mean you must blacken the entire territory or the people for that matter.”
Get back to objectivity- Damion C. Grange
Meanwhile, Mr Damion C. Grange said the media to include talk show hosts like them, have a responsibility to shed light on public concerns.
“I would agree with you Violet, in the sense that there is seemingly a callous approach to this particular matter and I think based on my observation, we have lost objectiivty and I am going to say we in terms of reporting the issue and I would love for us to get back to objecivity and the media should be cautious about slandering and be very careful of that,” he said.
Mrs Thomas-Gaul further accused media reports of being a contributing factor to the VI’s grey listing by the FATF.
Grange quickly added, “I would say it complicates things, but there is an external force that is actively trying to undermine our sector, and I don’t think that’s helping the cause.”
Grant also chimed in, explaining that the FATF grey listing happened “as a result of a number of things, one of which was a review by the FATF and they found a number of deficiencies, so it’s important to get those things on the subject”.


11 Responses to “Talking Points hosts challenge local media on responsible journalism”
Rosan only aim is to undermine trust, spreads confusion, and show support for an island man heading the alliance, hoping that if they win she will get a government job as director of communications.
Wake her up fast, it's not going to happen
Tell me what FACTS are inaccurately reported? I've seen none, but again, your rebuke is because they "portray the BVI in negative light. If that's your governing construct, you should limit your so-called "journalism" to covering football matches, birthday celebrations of notable local figures, and the old BVI standy, the latest festival or boat race.