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Talking Points hosts challenge local media on responsible journalism

(L-R) Talking Points co-hosts Elvin G. Grant, Violet Thomas-Gaul, and Damion C. Grange discuss the responsibility of the media during the June 30, 2025, show. Photo: Facebook
The Bank of Asia (BVI) was shut down in May 2025 by Virgin Islands (VI) Deposit Insurance Corporation (VIDIC), with the intervention of the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (FSC). Photo: Internet Source
The Bank of Asia (BVI) was shut down in May 2025 by Virgin Islands (VI) Deposit Insurance Corporation (VIDIC), with the intervention of the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (FSC). Photo: Internet Source
The Virgin Islands was placed on the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) ‘grey list’ on Friday, June 13, 2025. Photo: Internet Source
The Virgin Islands was placed on the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) ‘grey list’ on Friday, June 13, 2025. Photo: Internet Source
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- Talking Point co-hosts have chimed in on several issues here in the Virgin Islands (VI), among them the closure of the Bank of Asia (BVI) and the recent grey listing of the Territory by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

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”

  • Cindy is bad energy (07/07/2025, 08:37) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    They afraid to shut down fake news g berry media
  • asura (07/07/2025, 08:50) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    in the bvi the TRC would be afraid to deal with crazy girl set of cowards
    • Would we know? (07/07/2025, 12:05) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      If it was up to these 3 would we know about the Asia Bank at all ? Is that responsibile journalism they are talking about ?
  • Partriot (07/07/2025, 09:16) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    So why is Talking Point afraid to call out the media house who hates the bvi and trying to destroy those like Lorna and the premier? This is not journalism—it’s a clear case of manipulation.

    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

  • Agreeable One (07/07/2025, 09:24) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    There are some in the media here in BVi just like some in MSM in the US. They do not report on facts because they are driven and guided by their own feelings about the leader or government of the day. They use their platform to drive their personal views of an individual or a group hence the negative slant on everything they do. It’s all about creating the narrative to drive support away from those they dislike. Just one of those thing in life. ????????
  • for real (07/07/2025, 10:26) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
    Shut her down
  • I suppose your suggesting (07/07/2025, 10:29) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    It was the press who let the island down reporting on our ex premier being arrested in Miami and the details behind it . The press asking important questions about government officials behavior and actions is what the public depends on rather than sipping up the government’s media representations with apparently free pints of cool aid .
  • A Capitalist Who Loves the BVI (07/07/2025, 11:43) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    "Without naming any particular news entity in the VI, Mrs Thomas-Gaul cautioned the media to stop publishing pieces that negatively showcase the VI." Mrs. Thomas-Gaul, your complaint seems NOT to be that the reporting is inaccurate, but that it's "negative." You and your colleagues say that it's about being "objective" and looking at "facts," but what has already been reported as undisputed FACTS are quite damning - just the timing of the $5M deposit. If this government continues to engage in questionable practices, good journalism asks hard questions, and doing that is not libelous or otherwise improper.

    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.
  • Get Real (07/07/2025, 12:24) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Get with the program. Silence by the Government and others is not an option. Investigations are illusory and take forever and a day. We do not have forever and a day. No one mentioned here wants to hurt the jurisdiction, they want accountability and the people want accountability. No one should want a failed bank except those that want this swept under the rug and actions not exposed. Swept under the rug will never happen. If the BVI is worth its salt, then those in power better start publicly promoting the virtues of a revitalised bank funded by clean outside money and dedicated to FinTech and all of the crypto initiatives talked about that are so great. 100% guarantee that the press will get on board with that story while still doing its investigative job. Continue to say that there is nothing to see here and we have learned nothing.
  • member (07/07/2025, 14:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    That's how we do it, members only, cover up for each other.
  • Sooooo.... (07/07/2025, 20:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    You are saying news should be sugar-coated to paint a false narrative. I see.


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