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VINO hits back at pro-govt news site BVI Platinum, describes it as 'trash'

- Accuses Hon. Myron V. Walwyn & David Morris of being failures in their posts!
Virgin Islands News Online was creditable enough to apologize and remove a photo of the shooting victim, Melbourne Francis. Within the past 24 hours the news room has been showered with praises for being courageous and received many assurances from advertisers and readers of unwavering commitment and support. Image: VINO
In this critical time in the Virgin Islands when nothing is being done in Education; both parents and teachers have stacked up huge medical bills over mould at the Isabella Morris Primary School in Carrot Bay, some teachers complain of not having basic tools to work with; major disciplinary issues exist at the Elmore Stoutt High School; some primary school children are going to school hungry and crime and locals being jobless are on the rise, Hon. Myron V. Walwyn could find the time not to address those vexing issues but to attack VINO. Would it not have been more productive to hear from a Government Minister about a strategic plan to fight crime and create jobs? Photo: VINO/File
In this critical time in the Virgin Islands when nothing is being done in Education; both parents and teachers have stacked up huge medical bills over mould at the Isabella Morris Primary School in Carrot Bay, some teachers complain of not having basic tools to work with; major disciplinary issues exist at the Elmore Stoutt High School; some primary school children are going to school hungry and crime and locals being jobless are on the rise, Hon. Myron V. Walwyn could find the time not to address those vexing issues but to attack VINO. Would it not have been more productive to hear from a Government Minister about a strategic plan to fight crime and create jobs? Photo: VINO/File
The controversial Ag. Police Commissioner David Morris disappointed the public when the first thing we heard from him after the murder of Melbourne Francis was an attack on the online media. He has been regarded as a failure in the post of Ag. Police Commissioner since crime has sky rocketed and the morale of police officers is at an all time low. Photo: VINO/File
The controversial Ag. Police Commissioner David Morris disappointed the public when the first thing we heard from him after the murder of Melbourne Francis was an attack on the online media. He has been regarded as a failure in the post of Ag. Police Commissioner since crime has sky rocketed and the morale of police officers is at an all time low. Photo: VINO/File
Statement of response from Virgin Islands News Online to BVI Platinum News’ Article of May 10, 2013 headlined “Photo of bloodied murder victim sparks public outrage; Calls made to boycott.....”

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - It was brought to our attention on Friday May 10, 2013 by some of our over 9 thousand readers per day, that the pro-government online news site BVI Platinum News, one of our competitors, wrote an article that claimed the public was outraged over a photo posted by our news site.

In their malicious and clearly politically motivated article, they even claimed that someone had called for a boycott of advertisers of Virgin Islands News Online (VINO)- the most popular, successful, fair, balanced and objective online news site in the news market.

Firstly, we join with the good and decent thinking people of the Virgin Islands in offering our sincere condolences to the family of the late Melbourne Francis. Any man's death diminishes us because we are involved in mankind and therefore we never know for whom the bell tolls.

We find that the pro-government news site, BVI Platinum News, is biased, engaging in yellow journalism, and deliberate in their article; publishing it even after Virgin Islands News Online had already removed the photo in question, Platinum News had already received our press statement on same and we were creditable enough to offer an apology to the family and public over the photo.

Notwithstanding, the unfortunate shooting took place sometime after 8 P.M. on the night of May 9, 2013 in Look Long and Virgin Islands News Online was at the scene some 15 minutes after. Our photo on the shooting was posted a long while after the incident, allowing all next of kin to be advised of the untimely passing of their loved one.

What was even more interesting that led us to describe the pro-government news site as ‘trash’, 30 minutes after the regrettable shooting of Mr. Francis, horrifying graphic photos appeared on Facebook and many other social forums, including Blackberries and via other texts.

If the main objective of the BVI Platinum article was to speak out about issues of responsibilities on social networks and online news, then it’s amazing that they are silent on the social network matter.

However, they found it appropriate not to speak about the inappropriate images of Mr. Francis on facebook posted by the public, but only to lift quotes from the same forum to justify their one sided agenda and article. I will leave it to the public to make judgement on motive.

As of today many of those inappropriate photos are still posted on many social networks, taken by residents who visited the scene. However, VINO who has already cemented its reputation both among its growing readership and advertisers in understanding its role as a media house, has long removed its photo even when others had advised us not to do so.

What again demonstrated the unfortunate jealousy and unprofessional behaviour towards our news site by BVI Platinum News is that they claimed in their article that “there is no known telephone number” for VINO. This is clearly rubbish as all our numbers are listed on our news site as well as that of our reporters. Mr. Gordon French, the author of the article, has the numbers and E-mail addresses of all VINO reporters. We will let the public make its own judgement on motives.

Quotes from Myron Walwyn and David Morris

Many have also called to say they find it laughable and highly suspicious that BVI Platinum News will go to the two most unpopular persons in the Virgin Islands; Hon. Myron V. Walwyn and David Morris to seek quotes. The public is fully aware that the two, particularly Mr. Walwyn, have advocated for the censorship of the local media. Hon. Walwyn has been singling out VINO for much of his unprofessional and childish attacks.

In this critical time in the Virgin Islands, when nothing is being done in Education, both parents and teachers have stacked up huge medical bills over mould at the Isabella Morris Primary School in Carrot Bay, some teachers complain of not having basic tools to work with, major disciplinary issues at the Elmore Stoutt High School, some primary school children are going to school hungry, crime and locals being jobless are on the rise, Mr. Walwyn could not find the time to address those vexing issues but to attack VINO.

It speaks again of his character, and mental stability as a legislator. We would have been happy to hear in the first statement from a Government Minister on this sad and frightening shooting of Mr. Francis, a strategic plan to fight crime and create jobs, but instead most residents were disappointed to hear much of the same from Mr. Walwyn- his usual ranting and ranging for political point scoring in the pro-government news site article.

Maybe he can start a petition to demand that his government do something about crime in the Territory and hold the Top Police brass accountable on a cost effective, action oriented and prudent crime fighting plan, that can save our youths from further demise and instill confidence of the ordinary citizens in both the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force and the current Government.

While we do not normally offer free advise, we will call on Mr. Walwyn to stop undermining the people’s trust in their government and become focused on what he is going to do in office and a legacy he may want to formulate notwithstanding there remains many questions about his legitimacy to hold elective office.

As for David Morris, we are not surprised with his comments in the same article and because of his failure in the post of Ag. Commissioner of Police any distractions that can take the public and other police officers off his poor performance, I am sure it will make him happy.

The first thing we heard from Mr. Morris after a major homicide in the Virgin Islands was an attack on the media. Shame Shame on him!

Virgin Islands News Online is humbled that within the last 24 hours it has received many telephone calls of support from its many readers and advertisers, visits to its office, E-mails, texts and comments/blogs of firm commitment and steadfast support. We pledge to never do anything to violate the public's trust.

This News Site will be around for a long, long, long, time!

71 Responses to “VINO hits back at pro-govt news site BVI Platinum, describes it as 'trash'”

  • Elli (11/05/2013, 16:44) Like (19) Dislike (154) Reply
    Bossman Platinum is just a worthless bias NDP site - long time I stop reading their nonsense and long time I stopped putting my ads on there. Last week my company did not renew our ad with them we went to VINO
    • mother hen (11/05/2013, 17:55) Like (12) Dislike (184) Reply
      I share the views expressed by VINO in this statement
      • she the cat mother (12/05/2013, 00:26) Like (7) Dislike (40) Reply
        Fire pon Morris, Myron, Russell, Platinum and others involved in the rotten act to bring down VINO. How wicked!!.
        • AC 360 (12/05/2013, 12:24) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
          People hold up here what we should be worrying about is to find the culprit who did this despicable crime on this young man not about a photo
          • home boy (12/05/2013, 20:08) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
            no we haTE VINO SO WE GOT TO NOT FIGHT CRIME BUT THE PHOTO SET OF FOOLS
            • wow (13/05/2013, 22:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
              if u so hate vino then u need to stop coming on their website and writing post. You obviously love them if you are visiting to see what's going on. Can't please everyone.
    • charles (11/05/2013, 17:58) Like (12) Dislike (107) Reply
      The stories published on Platinum are always about "hearsay" and a "source"...That site needs shutting down!!! I'm really fed up with their reporting.
    • Jamdown (11/05/2013, 18:08) Like (5) Dislike (18) Reply
      You too lie Elli butyou aint renew ad. You aint no business man.. All of them print trash when they ready and none really supports the government ventures..
    • toll town (12/05/2013, 16:19) Like (1) Dislike (28) Reply
      i hope the people call for disciplinary action to be taken against Ag. CoP Morris and Hon. Myron just for there insensitive
  • talk girl talk (11/05/2013, 16:47) Like (9) Dislike (54) Reply
    The man Myron tis shameless, what he aint talking bout the carrot bay school and the mould he ell dem would be fixed?
  • pat (11/05/2013, 16:52) Like (14) Dislike (53) Reply
    VINO keep focus we got your back BAM
    • real pat (11/05/2013, 18:03) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      again, I am requesting you differentiate yourself from the first and real Pat. Call yourself Pat 2 or better yet, get a new name. Please! I highly doubt you want to be associated with my opinions and I difinitely don't want to be confused with yours. Please be respectful and responsible by changing your handle. I was here first. thank you.
    • @ pat (11/05/2013, 18:05) Like (9) Dislike (30) Reply
      I agree for that site seems all about trying to create sensational headlines and writing stories about VINO.

      There attitude seems to hell with facts and journalistic responsibility.
      Whenever you look they have something controversial to try and destroy VINO. To me they seem all about generating page hits than journalism...and writing their own blogs.
  • vip (11/05/2013, 16:57) Like (7) Dislike (82) Reply
    We agree with VINO over Myron, Platinum, Jones and Morris 100%
  • Lilo (11/05/2013, 16:59) Like (17) Dislike (29) Reply
    There was no need to stoop to their level VINO, let sleeping dogs lie...ONO ..Look Long ????? Journalism should be about informing the people of the nation not petty fights between publishing houses..get it together guys!
  • Reality check (11/05/2013, 17:00) Like (7) Dislike (66) Reply
    This walwyn due did not learn the lesson not to bash the media?
    • island girl (11/05/2013, 18:27) Like (35) Dislike (61) Reply
      So a picture of the murder causes more outrage than the Murder itself???? Where is the outrage on Mr. Francis who was gunned down like a dog in the streets of Long Look???. You people are the best.....the Jesus ting not working for you all....I am just packing up and leaving the BVI back to sweet T&T
  • onlooker (11/05/2013, 17:07) Like (29) Dislike (84) Reply
    the only positive thing about Platinum is the Up's movie schedule
    • JaneDoe (11/05/2013, 19:40) Like (17) Dislike (45) Reply
      OMG! I thought I was the only one that thought that. Welcome aboard my friend...and sometimes even the schedule late.
    • Yes (11/05/2013, 23:32) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Them nah get ah dime for that movie schedule.
  • . (11/05/2013, 17:09) Like (8) Dislike (36) Reply
    Vino is not the criminal here.....Go capture the real criminals!
    • facts man (12/05/2013, 16:57) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      after reading the Platinum article all i can say is for Myron and others its desperation in action
  • farmer brown (11/05/2013, 17:09) Like (11) Dislike (51) Reply
    look hypocrisy, Platinum better go from here chatting cocka may may. And go suck an egg. There were the crocodile tears when they had up a graphic photo of chunks on the beach in St. Martin? When they had up a graphic photo of Wolf? When they had graphic photos of the guys that got shot down Joeshius bay????

    VINO if you known what good for you do not even waste any energy answering those devils. Just for that I going get my boss to advertise with ayo watch!!!
    • My Unbiased View (11/05/2013, 18:07) Like (11) Dislike (44) Reply
      Advertisers should have nothing to do with BVI Platinum scurrilous, evil, jealous and sensationalist grubby little site!!!!
  • Turtle Dove (11/05/2013, 18:14) Like (16) Dislike (155) Reply
    The man Myron is a sick, sick, SICK individual so I'm not surprised by his attack on VINO. He playing smart with his half-baked ranting on facebook. Never seen a man so drunk with power!! he is so so sick it's not even funny.
    It's only a matter of time before he gets what he is looking for and I cannot want until the next elections. Somebody should speak to him or get him medical or physiological attention... Sick individual and politician!!
  • Hmmmm ok (11/05/2013, 18:26) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    SHEEPLE!!!!!!!!!
    • george w. touch (12/05/2013, 18:02) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      Ok enough of this Myron made a mistake let’s move on deman
  • turn against each other (11/05/2013, 18:41) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Just like the curse went out to all of the MoneyGram robbers that they will turn on each other (which has come to pass over and over again), the media is now turning on each other. Father help us all
  • wellsa (11/05/2013, 18:48) Like (15) Dislike (54) Reply
    WELLSA BVIPLATINUM NEWS WANT TO SAY THAT CALLS CAME TO THEM TO BOYCOTT VINO, WHAT A THING, JUST BECAUSE VINO IS THE BEST NEWS WEBSITE TO BRING IT TO US AND PLATINUM NEWS AND BVI NEWS HURTING LOL, I GUESS WE DONT WHAT AROUND THE WORLD AND SEE THESE BLOOD SHED CRIMES WHAT MAKES BVI DIFFERENT.
  • -------------- (11/05/2013, 19:14) Like (15) Dislike (6) Reply
    platinum is on the ropes now so they even stealing some of VINO screen name for nonnsense. ah boy, god is good
    • legal (12/05/2013, 00:14) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
      imagine we aint heard a peep out of NDP yet about the murder and Walwyn there making speeches about vino..are deeds people serous about governance???
  • tom cat (11/05/2013, 19:30) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
    Who is that idiot ru....j...s? Is that the dude bad breth man from trc???
  • <> (11/05/2013, 19:50) Like (15) Dislike (3) Reply
    Well sa, getting at vino looks like its more a top priority than to catch the murderers.
    • rattie (12/05/2013, 00:18) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
      Thank you for basically confirming most of the our thoughts about Platinum. VINO it’s not your fault your stories are better written than Platinum and BVI news whose articles always filled with grammatical errors.
    • east rock (12/05/2013, 16:09) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      His murder attracted onlookers who flocked to the scene after news of the death spread through the community....we all took photos as he was on the ground for a long time
  • ???? (11/05/2013, 20:10) Like (17) Dislike (44) Reply
    VINO this is a zinger in dem face…very well written response. … Why the bvi like to sweep everything under the rug or portray good images even though they're bad???? I think a few months ago Miss Hull said it right; the BVI is filled with evil and hypocrisy...GO VINO! GO VINO!
    • polo (12/05/2013, 00:23) Like (1) Dislike (9) Reply
      That NDP controlled (Skelton glan) Platinum news should just go work for GIS. The site & ownership has no respect for anyone but themselves.

      Look how nasty they are trying to pull down VINO just because they have ran ahead of them. Let’s boycott Platinum should be the cry!!!
    • police officer west end (12/05/2013, 16:14) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      What was the response by the acting COP last week about the media????? does this address the fear of the people and about crime in the BVI?...SMFH that man is just plain clueless or is an outright DUMMY...how did he get that position..i can only guess
  • Guest (11/05/2013, 20:57) Like (5) Dislike (46) Reply
    You could imagine the government through Myron focus is on the picture that was posted on VINO and not the blood of the dead youth.

    What a crazy uncaring government. Not my vote ever again NEVER!!
  • Yes (11/05/2013, 21:19) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Vino is REAL TOOL!!!
  • @@@@@ (11/05/2013, 21:50) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    vino you soft boss how come you move the photo? NDP site and the antiguan should try to stop CNN, CNBC and BBC from airing the stuff we see everyday
  • HMMM (11/05/2013, 22:35) Like (3) Dislike (10) Reply
    MY 2 CENTS. VINO AINT DO A DARN THING WRONG......FIRST OF ALL WHAT RESPECT FOR DEAD YOU ALL TALKING BOUT! STOP ACTING LIKE MEL B WAS A SAINT OR AN INNOCENT IN THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME. THAT'S HOW HE WAS FOUND AND THAT IS WHAT THEY POSTED. THEY NEED TO DO THAT EACH TIME A PERSON WHO IS MIXED UP IN ALL KINDS A CRAP LIKE DRUGS AND STEALING AND THE WORKS GET KILLED. AND I DONT CARE IF IT'S FAMILY OR NOT....WHY DO YOU THINK THEY CALLED HIM TRUBBLE? IT SURE AINT BECAUSE HE IS A SAINT. NOW THAT PHOTO SHOULD DETER OTHER YOUNG MEN FROM GETTING MIXED UP IN THE CRAP THAT YOUNG MAN FOUND HIMSELF IN. HE WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD KILL HIM BUT OF COURSE HE THOUGHT HE WAS INVINCIBLE TO METAL BULLETS FILLED WITH GUN POWDER...I FEEL REALLY SAD FOR ALLIANNA AND DESTINEE......BUT HIS MOTHER AND SIBLINGS.........WELL DEMS ANOTHER STORY. VINO JUST CONTINUE TO REPORT AS IT IS.....AINT YOUR FAULT THE POOR LAD DIED CRUMPED UP AT THE STICKET.....NO AM NOT HARSH AM JUST SAYING IT AS IT IS.
  • jj (11/05/2013, 22:51) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Vino rules
  • STAY FOCUS (11/05/2013, 23:29) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    The killer/killers suppose to be the target here--not vino/williock.
    • St. John (12/05/2013, 16:49) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      The talking heads Platinum, Myron, Russel, David, and the FB bloggers are a bunch of freeloaders and incompetents .Now they are trying to push all the blame on VINO who only reported the news with a photo of what they saw...what a load of hogwash from them if you ask me.
  • wise up (12/05/2013, 00:07) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    What i have discovered a number of media houses in the BVI must resort to smear campaigns to sell their products; they do have enough skills to sell their products without speaking bad about their competitors; what VINO must understand, once you are on top of your game others will seek to pull you down and the sad thing we are all virgin islanders simply seeking to make a living.....others will come to our country and do all manner of evil against our people and such behaviour is well and good( no one calls to boycott their products)....once it come to our people we try our best to push them under the bus.....go talk that !!!!!!
  • one eye roster (12/05/2013, 00:33) Like (3) Dislike (16) Reply

    what else can we expect from M..... that ugly half-ass child, put into highly responsible office and is just not ready for prime time. Watch next elections we the people will dumped him like an useless, worm and he will splash like a sowersop on his ball head!!!!. M.... is a perfect example of mediocrity masquerading as genius—very disappointing…I wish I could take back my vote.

  • Observer (12/05/2013, 00:56) Like (4) Dislike (8) Reply
    I AM DISAPOINTED with Natalio Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru. If he thinks you get elected in this country by getting on the hate train or the NDP media bashing train, he will be disappointed to see it will not work this time.

    If I was you, I would have separated from Myron, Morris, and Platinum them nonsense if you want to maintain your creditability in this country…just word to the wise!!!!
    • wise-up (12/05/2013, 10:08) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
      dear Observer; that wheatley boy is an educated fool; just saying !!!!!
  • DYME DIVA (12/05/2013, 08:45) Like (3) Dislike (9) Reply
    MR MINISTER IF YOU READING THIS READ WELL IT HAVE MORE IMPORTANT PROBLEMS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED AND FOR A BIG MAN WITH DEGREES TO BE BLASTING A NEWS SITE OVER A STUPID PHOTO, YOU HAVE SOMETHING COMING IF YOU ALL MINISTER DONT DO WHAT YOU SUPPOSE TO SOMETHING MAJOR IS GOING TO TAKE PLACE IN THE BVI. CALL ME WHAT YOU WANT BUT THIS PLACE HEADING RIGHT WHERE THE DEVIL WANTS IT. WHAT HAPPEN TO CARING ABOUT WHATS IMPORTANT, THIS JUST TO SHOW WHAT REALLY IMPORTANT TO YOU LOVING CO-MESS.
    • blast (12/05/2013, 10:16) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Welcome to the real world of politics. Most of you who was on bvi platinum bashing VINO, is responsible for posting some of those pictures on facebook, and sending me to bb and whatsapp
  • DYME DIVA (12/05/2013, 09:16) Like (5) Dislike (50) Reply
    Virgin Islands News Online (VINO)- the most popular, successful, fair, balanced and objective online news site in the BVI news market.

  • sorry guys (12/05/2013, 09:46) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
    Too much evil hypocrites in this place. All my friends sent me more gruesome photos of Mel on blast doing the same thing. Now the haters of vino see an opening now up and down all over the place chatting garbage. VINO will always be the number 1 site…ayo tek dat
  • sea weed (12/05/2013, 11:23) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
    Thanks vino
    • enough (12/05/2013, 15:25) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
      Myron and Morris please get over your obsession with VINO..sheesh
  • Mas King (12/05/2013, 19:58) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    Let me just say
    It seems to be a lot of something over nothing. When have we begun censorship of the Media?Look there are too many on solve case in the BVI from Minister and high ranking official and the police department to be focus on rather than censorship. There are un-answer letter and email to out Ministers. Look as a Virgin Islander living aboard for whatever reason we use the on line Media to keep up with what going on at home. So to try and start censorship of any Media is wrong. We want to compare ourselves with the US but then at time we say and do differently. If we are doing to be democratic let do that and let the people read which on line media they want without try to censor any of them. The focus was taking away from the real issues to try to censor one of our Media outfit and this is wrong. The focus needs to be place on solving the crime in the Territory rather that this nonsense.
  • well well wow! (12/05/2013, 20:56) Like (5) Dislike (8) Reply
    I made the mistake of going over to read the government/NDP Site Platinum and Myron and others comments on the bVI forum over the photo. Not surprise the same 5 persons comments on platinum just calling VINO names. Seriously, is that man Myron sane? Is he fit for office? Surely he's living in the mind of a little 9 year old child/boy. I honestly think that his time and days are numbered in office and its time the people call or sign a petition for recall elections.
    • Realist (13/05/2013, 12:24) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      @well well wow!
      A lot of people sorry they voted for Myron! That man is arrogant and he is in the wrong Ministry.
  • USA student (13/05/2013, 12:34) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    You know this Mikey mouse chiseling by our elected members of vino just shows how immoral and without ethics they are
  • Yes (13/05/2013, 12:57) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    "It speaks again of his character, and mental stability as a legislator".........this had me cracking up.

    I hope Myron planning to redeem himself befor next election.
  • Hmmmm (14/05/2013, 01:03) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Please allow persons to like and dislike comments.
  • Bill (15/05/2013, 07:21) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    vino you aint plain & jokin wid platinum


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