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BVI Platinum News sued for Libel by Attorney David A. Penn
Local Attorney at Law David A Penn of David A. Penn & Co brought the lawsuit against Platinum Investors Limited, the parent company of BVI Platinum News in 2016. Attorney Penn, a former Private Secretary to then Chief Minister Hon Ralph T. O’Neal OBE, was represented by Mrs Charmaine Rosan-Bunbury of Rosan Law, a local firm.
Brief Background
On April 30, 2013 BVI Platinum News, the defendant, published an article entitled “Court Turns Down case Against Cellular Towers Radiation Emissions” relating to Mr Penn’s lawsuit against government.
The lawsuit against Platinum Investors Ltd was brought because of what Mr Penn and his Attorney described as libelous and slanderous blogs or comments that appeared at the bottom of the story.
One of the troublesome comments that the court agreed was libelous was “David Penn made the Govt. spend so much money on an office and now he does not work in it. Does he really want to work or just want to scam the Government and receive money for not working. There are many people who need a job or the money that he is getting for not working all these years. One day Mr. Penn will wake up to the reality of the illness that he will manifest in his life through his prophelying and say ‘hand I known’. Be careful, brother, with your words and your thoughts; they are birthed in the tomorrow.”
Another blog that the court agreed was libelous to Mr Penn, an indigenous Virgin Islander, was, “schupps, the guy don’t want to work for a living. It’s as simple as that. The court did the right thing. This guy is looking for an easy way out. He would rather stay at home, do nothing, and get a government salary.”
Another blog, which the court agreed was libelous, described the former Civil Servant, who was relieved from his job as a Government lawyer, as a nuisance. “I really don’t like criticising but this boy is a complete nuisance. Nuisance!! Nuisance!!! Nuisance!!! And I have proof of that!”
Libelous Blogs cost money
In another blog that was libelous against Mr Penn and written on BVI Platinum News under the same story of April 30, 2013 stated, “David Penn needs to go and live in Somalia. Then there will be no complaints. The guy is downright lazy”
In winning his case against Platinum Investors Limited, Mr Penn and his Attorney Mrs Rosan-Bunbury sought and received from the High Court financial damages to the tune of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) with an interest at a rate of 5% on the sum from the date of assessment until payment.
The owners of Platinum Investors Limited declined to comment on the ruling. They were represented by Dr Alicia Johns of O’Neal Webster.
Many other media houses, radio, online and printed media, have faced lawsuits; however most of them have been thrown out of court. While the media for the most part in the Virgin Islands have been responsible, there have been political attack on the press and the ruling National Democratic Party Administration has been extremely hostile to press freedom.
Click Link for judgement
http://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/upload/documents/Judgment_Final.pdf
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29 Responses to “BVI Platinum News sued for Libel by Attorney David A. Penn”
One day I hope they get a big dose of their own poison. In my opinion, employers and supervisors here are too arrogant .and ignorant on these very important issues.
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As I understand it, the dictionary definition of a 'Christian' is a 'follower of Christ'.
Christ pleaded several times to his father in heaven, who is the King of Justice.
Christians being followers of Christ should therefore also plead their cases and seek justice.
As I understand it also, nowhere in either the dictionary or the Bible is Christian spelled D-O-O-R-M-A-T. Also, yes, Matthew 5: 6 does say "Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." You're quite right there.