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UPDATE: VIF&FC apologises to JTV over 'kick out' from Prince & Princess Show

-VIF&FC Chairman Dirk L. Walters says no exclusive streaming rights were granted for the show
Local media house Japhix Television (JTV), has indicated that it has received an apology from the Virgin Islands Festival and Fair Committee Chairman (VIF&FC), Mr Dirk L. Walters over an incident that resulted in the media house being 'kicked out' of the recent Prince & Princess Show on July 23, 2023, and its live online stream of the event cut. Photo: VIF&FC/Facebook
In its statement yesterday, the media house said it has since received an apology from Walters who acknowledged that there was a misunderstanding on the Committee’s part and that JTV will receive a public apology. Photo: Facebook/JTV
In its statement yesterday, the media house said it has since received an apology from Walters who acknowledged that there was a misunderstanding on the Committee’s part and that JTV will receive a public apology. Photo: Facebook/JTV
JTV, which is popular for live-streaming various events in the Virgin Islands, was reportedly kicked out of the Prince and Princess Show at Multi-Purpose Sports Complex today, July 23, 2023, for live-streaming the event. Photo: Facebook/VINO
JTV, which is popular for live-streaming various events in the Virgin Islands, was reportedly kicked out of the Prince and Princess Show at Multi-Purpose Sports Complex today, July 23, 2023, for live-streaming the event. Photo: Facebook/VINO
It was about 45 minutes into the live-stream that it was cut and JTV subsequently posted a notice saying the stream was stopped by VIF&FC. Photo: Facebook
It was about 45 minutes into the live-stream that it was cut and JTV subsequently posted a notice saying the stream was stopped by VIF&FC. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Local media house Japhix Television (JTV), has indicated that it has received an apology from the Virgin Islands Festival and Fair Committee Chairman (VIF&FC), Mr Dirk L. Walters over an incident that resulted in the media house being 'kicked out' of the recent Prince & Princess Show on July 23, 2023, and its live online stream of the event discontinued.

Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) reported on July 23, 2023, that the media house was ordered out of the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex after officials told JTV that exclusive streaming rights belonged to another media house, 284 Media. 

JTV in a statement yesterday, July 26, 2023, said, 'Despite JTV’s founder Kevin Titley’s request to be shown the evidence of the exclusive deal between the Committee and the media house, none was presented."

JTV added that it was also told that exclusive rights were also given to the said media entity to live stream all events for the 69th Emancipation Festival with the exception of Miss BVI which will be streamed as a pay-per-view event." 

Apology received - JTV 

In its statement yesterday, the media house said it has since received an apology from Mr Walters who acknowledged that there was a misunderstanding on the Committee’s part and that JTV will receive a public apology.

“There was a misunderstanding with the pageant committee,” stated the Chairman while he added that there is no agreement with anyone for no exclusive streaming rights.”

JTV further added that Mr Walters pledged to put measures in place to ensure similar incidents with the media do not occur in the future and said its founder, Mr Titley was pleased with the manner in which the Chairman resolved the issue. 

See previous story published on July 23, 2023

JTV reportedly kicked out of Prince & Princess Show by VIF&FC
- Claims it has been barred from live-streaming Emancipation Festival events

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- JTV, which is popular for live-streaming various events in the Virgin Islands, was reportedly kicked out of the Prince and Princess Show at Multi-Purpose Sports Complex today, July 23, 2023, for live-streaming the event.

JTV in a Facebook post said it was live-streaming the event when they were ordered out of the building by “officials” of the Virgin Islands Festival & Fairs Committee (VIF&FC), “due to sponsors’ terms".

It was about 45 minutes into the live-stream that it was cut and JTV subsequently posted a notice saying the stream was stopped by VIF&FC.

It was noticed that 284Media was allowed to live-stream the show in its entirety.

JTV allegedly blocked from live-streaming Festival Events

“Additionally, we were also told that we are blocked from covering all local events LIVE.

“There was no prior official notification sent to our company which has the highest social media following because of our dedication to promoting the territory,” JTV further stated in its Facebook post.

JTV said at the core of its policy is the commitment to broadcasting local content, especially cultural events, so that [British] Virgin Islanders and visitors alike can celebrate the territory’s history and unique identity.

“What a way to celebrate our emancipation from colonial rule, our fight for freedom and to honour our ancestors,” JTV stated.

Public expresses disappointment

According to reports reaching our newsroom, JTV was allowed back in the show, on the condition it was not live-streaming. JTV resorted to posting video clips of the various segments of the Prince and Princess Show.

A number of persons on Facebook have expressed their disappointment with the blocking of JTV from live-streaming the event as well as allegedly being barred from live-streaming any events of the 2023 VI Emancipation Festival.

Up to the time of publication, the Chairperson of the VIF&FC, Mr Dirk L. Walters, had not responded to our request for comment.

33 Responses to “UPDATE: VIF&FC apologises to JTV over 'kick out' from Prince & Princess Show ”

  • Stop It (23/07/2023, 19:53) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    Same shame Cathy plays the field
  • ANOTHER HONEST MISTAKE (23/07/2023, 19:54) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    BUT HEY WE CSN ALWAYS BLAME THE GOVERNOR / CINDY OR PERHAPS THE ( AG ) WHO WAS ADDED TO ( THE LIST OF THE HATED ONES ) BY THE HYPOCRITES THAT WE HAVE HERE LOOSE IN THE COUNTRY , WHO HAVE A PASSION FOR SPREADING PROPAGANDA ON A DAILY BASIS ESPECIALLY NON RACISM AND COLONIALISM / AND WE ALL KNOW WHO THE NIG~ GAH AYE
  • smh (23/07/2023, 20:04) Like (20) Dislike (2) Reply
    Orange competition probably holding sponsor money hostage.
  • Easy (23/07/2023, 20:26) Like (45) Dislike (21) Reply
    Another media house is platinum sponsor of Festival and part of the agreement is exclusive streaming. JTV need to spend some dollars and stop complaining.
    • @easy (24/07/2023, 10:46) Like (21) Dislike (6) Reply
      No Sorry.... there should be no way that one media outlet can put themselves out there as a platinum sponsor and negotiate exclusive rights to livestream the emancipation celebrations. The BVIFFC should NOT have allowed that to happen - they should have got their platinum sponsors elsewhere and allowed freedom of the media. This is a clear conflict of interest and encroachment on freedom of information/speech.
  • Glitch (23/07/2023, 20:44) Like (39) Dislike (12) Reply
    JTV actually had more persons on their LIVE than 284, THAT WAS THE REAL PROBLEM!!! 284 to greedy
  • Fahie Wheatley (23/07/2023, 21:36) Like (35) Dislike (25) Reply
    The VIP is the worst government that we had since Ralph Oneal era
    • @ Fahie Wheatley (24/07/2023, 01:17) Like (22) Dislike (1) Reply
      Those little wicked young people who in charge of some of these committees don’t have a clue what they doing
  • vex (23/07/2023, 21:38) Like (26) Dislike (12) Reply
    This is crazy people should boycott 284 and the festival activities.
  • Guest (23/07/2023, 22:48) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I guess this is strictly a business decision.
  • asura (24/07/2023, 01:17) Like (6) Dislike (6) Reply
    Sounds like something funny man will do when he was minister
  • Sowande again.. (24/07/2023, 04:33) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
    Another Committee failure. Whatever streaming policy that was, or is in place should have been clearly communicated to all Media houses in both spoken and written language..This is not good. This is really a bad look..I've been involved in a lot of committees and organized events. The BVI is loaded with qualify, talented and skillful people who can manage and run festival properly, I am not seeing or hearing of those people involvement...What's going BVI. Some of them not from here I can understand that but a lot of them from here. In any and every case you always seek the best talent to get the best results in spite of nationality..I can assure you, we wont have money Issues, we won't have PR Issues, we won't have participation Issues, our festival will rise to another level..Change is very hard, greed and Power even harder to let go... How about make the committee members go through an application process, each person who wishes to be a part of the committee makes an application to the minister, stating their back ground, speciality and achievement.. That's an easy and effective way, the Minister will select his best 12 and from that 12 the minister will instruct them to sit down and come out with two nominees in 30 days time Via secret ballets, these ballets will be open by the Minister and announce who the nominees are. Then from those two the committee will again by secret ballets select the chair person again those ballets will be open by the minister and the minister will announce the selected chair person the other person automatically becomes deputy chair.. That's something to consider.. The chair person has the responsibility of allocating port folios.. Then Members from that committee (The executive) will be responsible for chairing the sub- committees...
  • 911 (24/07/2023, 04:50) Like (4) Dislike (12) Reply
    go out and support events as a pose to want every thing for free!!!!!
    • @ 911 (24/07/2023, 08:33) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      Some of us live overseas fool
      • @911 (24/07/2023, 22:55) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
        how did you know my last name is fool; is it because i could be your father; run go ask grandma….you could have send money to JTV to become a major sponsor allowing you to watch from your living room or get on a plane and come home: U broke bit@&
  • Citizen (24/07/2023, 08:44) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
    Look Karma come for JTV owner.
  • Hmm (24/07/2023, 09:26) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    Ok so I understand the sponsor is a media too and they would like to get majority of the viewers but they should have informed JTV about this earlier.
    • please (24/07/2023, 10:56) Like (11) Dislike (7) Reply
      Let’s be sensible. How about doing your checks and balances before just walking into an event. Contact the organizers to sort yourself out before just walking in and assuming it’s out to just set up your camera. Geez.
      • -_- (24/07/2023, 12:23) Like (7) Dislike (5) Reply
        It's been the norm to simply walk in as a media provider....stop trying to sound intelligent...cause that statement show's that you're not
      • @Please (24/07/2023, 12:35) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
        When for years you have never had to do this and the precedent of having to do what you suggest above has never been set? It the BVIFFC were going to change the way they operate after decades of doing it one way, knowing full well who the media outlets are who are in regular attendance (less than 10 companies) - then it is more than fair to say they should have been the ones to notify people.
        • I disagree (24/07/2023, 14:13) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
          You want to attend someone’s function then call and ascertain the protocol and the dos and donts. Stop assuming and behaving entitiled. I am not going to assume JTV price last year is the same this year - I will check first. That’s the problem here this stupidness about it used to be so and they never used to. Just make contact and find out from the people how to go about doing things. That’s not too much to ask of reasonable business people.
          • lol (31/07/2023, 14:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
            @ I disagree. Lol if this was a private event I would've agreed with you. This is a Local Emancipation | Festival Event that should have been live-streamed on as many platforms as possible. Why are we gate-keeping our festivities? Why are we restricting media companies from live streaming something that they can't make money from anyway? I was able to watch USVI carnival on multiple platforms comfortable! Why are we making things more difficult instead of making it easier to enjoy things??

            If the committee had their own PPV, then it would've been fair to remove them. The committee should also reach out to all media houses prior in a meeting asking them to apply for media passes and the rules and restrictions of being a media pass holder.
      • Stop the Frig JTV ! (24/07/2023, 14:39) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
        JTV should know better. Stop the frig what do they give back to society? They cannot be riding on someone else horse and then claim that they are the jockey. Go spend some money and learn business ethics. She to uppity.
  • one sided (24/07/2023, 13:29) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply
    How come 284 media was allowed to provide live coverage? I guess it is who you are.
  • lol (24/07/2023, 14:31) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Welcome to the BVI one conflict of interest after the other. People giving themselves grants, people giving themselves exclusivity people renting their own building etc… It’s the BVI way!
  • Truth is (25/07/2023, 04:51) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    It's the way of the world, BVI just doing what is the norm every other place in the world. Some people want everything free.
  • WOW (27/07/2023, 12:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    So if the chairman wasn't aware of no agreement where this exclusivity thing even come from in the first place?
  • Lorna in ya corna (27/07/2023, 13:48) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why does 284 Media of all people have the exclusive rights?? Was there a public bid?? Why the cronyism continuing in this place!! Kudos to JTV for standing their ground and asking for production of credible evidence.
  • put up or shut up (27/07/2023, 14:21) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    If 284 is the platinum sponsor and jaytv ain't put up a quart, let the scateer and stop playing cheap.
    Yuh gotta pay to play
  • lol (28/07/2023, 15:03) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Headline should read "BVIF&F Committee attempts to save face after unfairly booting JTV"
  • Top Dogg (29/07/2023, 06:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Pay per who? They got to be friggin retarded, its bad enough we got pay to go in the village and now we got to pay to watch it too! Setta moomoo in this place sah


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