Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) is now 12 years old, having been founded on March 1, 2010. Photo: VINO

Fired employee and talk show activist, Rosemary 'Cindy' Rosan-Jones. Photo: VINO/File

VINO extends gratitude to the the staff, especially Editor-in-Chief, Reuben J. A. Stoby, the person responsible for the day-to-day news operations. Photo: VINO/File

The online news site was recently a victim of a cyber-attack and both its local Board of Directors and overseas IT security specialists have their suspicions about the source of the hacks.

The Lows 

Last month, hackers gained unauthorised access to the content management system of the online news site for almost 48 hours and posted pornographic content that does not reflect the values of the website.

What was even more distributing is that a discredited fired employee and talk show activist, Rosemary Cindy Rosan-Jones stated on public radio that she believed it was the staff of VINO who made a mistake, and that is why pornographic content ended up on the news site.

In other words, Ms Rosan-Jones was suggesting that it was the staff of VINO who were watching those types of content and it somehow ended up on the website due to an error.

Her erroneous allegations were discredited and condemned by IT specialists locally, regionally, and internationally, given how the pornographic content was embedded in various areas of the website.

Looking ahead

While the news site, like many small businesses, took a financial hit due to the COVID-19 pandemic- as most businesses were closed with nothing to advertise- it is the belief of the Board of Directors, that like many other businesses, VINO will rebound.

The site is exploring a Spanish version and will be launching a series of surveys to keep on the pulse of social, political, economic, fashion, and other topical issues in the Virgin Islands.

VINO’s signature cartoon has become legendary and at times controversial; however, the feedback has indicated that the public looks forward to its bi-weekly publication (Wednesdays) of each month.

The cartoon will continue as it brings laughter and context in a humorously exaggerated way and is a form of art and satire.

The news site is still popular for its thought-provoking headlines and its weekly promotion of young and not so young Virgin Islanders doing extraordinary things.

VINO is the only news site that updates 7 days a week with fresh articles, including on holidays.

We offer what readers need!

The twelve-year-old online news site also accepts a variety of commentaries from residents and persons overseas and of course the blogging/comments after each story, which is now a staple of the online news industry.

VINO still boasts of its over 40 thousand readers/hits per day and some of the most committed advertisers in the market.

Virgin Islands News Online maintains a high journalistic standard and has a history of being fair, balanced, and first, but accurate, and with no personal or political agenda.

After twelve years, VINO reporters are not for sale with their integrity and solid credibility and they will continue to bring the news in the most professional way possible.

We thank you!

We thank the staff, especially Editor-in-Chief, Reuben J.A. Stoby, the person responsible for the day-to-day news operations, who at times, is the subject of much hate. 

We thank our ‘Team of Reporters’, our Board of Directors, and the hundreds of thousands of readers locally and worldwide.

VINO also extends gratitude to our long list of advertisers for their steadfast support and encouragement over the years.

We are hopeful for another twelve years, as we stay true to our mandate of being accurate, balanced, and objective.