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Charges could be laid for spreading rumours about latest COVID-19 victim- Governor
The Governor was at the time speaking at an emergency COVID-19 update on Saturday, April 18, 2020, where it was announced that as a result of the death, the Virgin Islands will not end the current 14-day lockdown, rather, extend it.
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said the rationale behind the move was that the case is being treated as a COVID-19 positive after local testing, even though the Territory is awaiting confirmation of the test results from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in Trinidad and Tobago as protocols mandate.
Despicable Behaviour - Governor Jaspert
"I deplore some of the social media circulating about the recently confirmed case, who has since sadly died. This despicable behaviour does not in any way represent the views of the people of the BVI," Governor Jaspert said.
The Governor, commenting on the sharing of potentially false information about the victim, also stated that "it may also be illegal behaviour and the police will investigate should crimes under our Computer Misuse Act have been committed."
He said the plethora of false news stories circulating in the Territory do not help, rather, "they add fuel to the worries and concerns we all share," and reminded that all official updates come through Government channels.
According to sources, the woman died on April 18, 2020, around 4:00 am, at Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital; however, even before her death, online rumours had been circulating and, according to the Governor, the police may be called in to launch a probe on those spreading false information.
RVIPF warns against sending false info
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) in a press release has since warned the general public against the dissemination of information especially to the extent where the information becomes offensive, malicious or false either in part or entirely in content as per the Computer Misuse and Cyber Crime Act 2014, and amendment (No. 9 of 2019).
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32 Responses to “Charges could be laid for spreading rumours about latest COVID-19 victim- Governor”
Hope he includes when his w....... friends blogging against the Fahie government
At the same time, would be better if some of the information would be investigated by the government authorities. For example, is it true that this lady did actually report herself earlier to the medical authorities and she was sent home although she was having serious symptoms? Will those officials responsible be held accountable?
Police and government agencies should focus their energies on solving real problems, on investigating the real sharks not few uneducated fools who sometimes populate the internet. The Goverment and the Police should act proffesionaly and be fully transparent and honest. Should that be the case, very few ppl would pay any mind to rumours and other dirty things posted on social media.
Mr. Govenor, you don't know the views of the ppl of BVI. You just know the views of the Queen and UK Government. You r here on duty. Just focus on performing it properly. Your job and the police job is not combating freedom of speech.
Now I am not in support of the Cyber crimes amendment 14a/14b as I believe the fines and sentencing guidelines are too excessive and there should have been a clause to protect the Press in their line of work. Also the act lacks specificity leaving it open to varying interpretations. There is already civil recourse in the case of slander and libel suits that can be an option for offended parties.
Be that as it may it is Law and it should be enforced. Some people real sweating now.
Governor needs to go a little further and demand an investigation into the protocols used in this case and whether they were properly adhered to and if they have flexibility for each individual case. I for one believe we are not doing enough testing. Locking down, closing borders ,social distancing all these measures are a waste of time without the requisite testing. Anybody who calls or goes to the hospital with the slightest flu symptom should be tested immediately. We read the scary experiences of the Beacon reporter when she had what she thought was the virus and even though the results came back negative I am afraid I don't trust that conclusion( she should do an antibody test). That was a warning sign that the system is not working and then unfortunately came the death of this young lady and she went through a similar experience only worse as she had an underlying condition and went to the hospital and was given medication and advised to go home.
Her husband and family deserve answers. The BVI deserves answers.
Do you think she put this on her self. be careful it could hit home if one contracts it. That weapon the tongue ask your self am I guilty of that.
The Governor is 100% correct,and I must say,this Governor,appointed by Her Majesty,The Queen,is one of the best that the BVI has seen and will see in the future.
Track down their wattsapp,and charge them criminally,under the [Computer misuse & Cyber act,2014, as amended by # 9 of 2019..
Get the US-FBI agents and the UK-Scotland Yard detectives,assisted by legal team,to track the origin of this malicious,wicked and dangerous acts,jail them,and for those who do not belong to the virgin islands,deport demmm-aaaassssss..
It is time for persons who use social media for criminal intent to be treated like real criminals.
God job Governor.
Four more years for you from her majesty,and four more years for the VIP.
unable to fully protect ourselves or to assist in finding them since we have not been informed of any identifying attributes of these unknown numbers of potentially lethal individuals.
Until they are accosted and properly secured,any and all future casualties attributed to Corona Virus 19 in the VI can only be attributed to your neglect and derilection of your assigned duty as Governor of the VI.
Two weeks later our Safety and Security has been breached to its core and as yet he has no response or display of concern.Just making noise about the human response of a frustrated populace being kept in the dark by the elected and appointed Government about pertinent information, adversely affecting their health and their mortality.
Not only should people be prosecuted criminally,but provisions should be made to financial compensation to the victims.
Go deep into their pockets,when they use wattsapp etc to tarnish people character and good name.
I can see we are making progress in the bvi with this new law.
Freedom of speech?
Go to the bvi constitution,to get the definition of freedom of speech,and the same section will direct you to other subsections,that tells you,if parliament make a law to control your malicious freedom of speech,its an offence.
Everybody using the term 'freedom of speech' to justify their wicked publication of whatever they want to publish about peoples' private life.
Ask them where in the bvi constitution,to find the definition,they cannot tell you.
freedom of speech my ["?????"]
Boss this man need to get on the next flight I am shame of this governor
The Governor is in the Queen's Country of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [British Overseas Territory-BVI]
The Governor was appointed by Her Majesty The Queen of Buckingham Palace,to be Her representative in HER-BVI.
The Governor is a UK-Citizen in a UK-Overseas Territory-BVI.[you people are too out of place]
All BVI-Citizens are deemed to be UK-Citizens as well,by a UK law made by the UK parliament in may 2002.
But you are saying to a Uk-Citizen appointed by the Queen,to get on the next flight to the mainland UK?
In 2020, people in the BVI remained so racist and anti-expatriate,they do not even know their sovereignty.
A grandchild is telling his father to get out of his grand mother's house.
It's not the Governor who made the law.
It's our elected representative,who we voted for,now they become [the legislature] and they made the law,and the governor assent to it on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen,by virtue of his powers under the bvi constitution.
That is how a bill that is brought to the house of assembly can be passed as a law of the BVI parliament.
The School children who read your bloggs, will not be misled, but will be educated by legal team.
Welcome to the BVI Governor.
GOVERNOR,AS A UK CITIZEN, YOU FROM HERE.YOU BORN HERE..
BVI citizens are also UK citizens: UK citizens are justifiably welcome in the BVI.
I thank her majesty,the queen for that opportunity.