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New radio talk show ‘Things to Talk’ comes on air

- to be aired every first & third Wednesday of every month on ZBVI 780 AM
Natalio D. Wheatley (left) has started a talk show entitled 'Things to Talk' which first aired last evening June 1, 2016 on ZBVI 780 AM. Photo: Provided/Internet source
As a guest of last evening's airing of 'Things to Talk', Editor in Chief of the BVI Beacon Freeman Rogers called for Freedom of Information legislation. Photo: VINO/File
As a guest of last evening's airing of 'Things to Talk', Editor in Chief of the BVI Beacon Freeman Rogers called for Freedom of Information legislation. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Editor in Chief of the BVI Beacon Freeman Rogers said while the media landscape in the Virgin Islands is fraught with issues of access to information, when placed in an international context the media here is basically free to report what it wants.

He was part of a panel discussion on the brand new talk show 'Things to Talk' hosted by Natalio D. Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru on ZBVI 780AM last evening June 1, 2016. Rogers cited instances where the Freedom of Information law would be vital to journalists in the territory.

On the show Rogers pointed out that in some South American countries it can be very dangerous to be a reporter. “You get physical threats, you get all kinds of problems and in the BVI we really don't have that sort of thing.”

Rogers added that “It is important [to note] that we do have our challenges here and there and it can be difficult to get information from Government...it can be difficult to get information from businesses or anybody...at times we do struggle with getting information and sort of the pressure of small town journalism. But I think we are allowed to operate very freely in the BVI and there is a landscape that allows that to happen.”

To gain better access to information, Rogers said one of the things that he and others in the territory have advocated for is the Freedom of Information Act, which he said would allow for the public to gain access to information that is in the public's interest.

He noted that the Law Reform Commission had back in 2004 recommended and drafted a Freedom of Information Act but it never made it to the House of Assembly to be made into law.

Citing one example of the usefulness of such a piece of legislation, Rogers pointed to the studies and other documents related to the proposed expansion of the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport runway.

‘Things to Talk’

'Things to Talk' is a new hour-long, live call-in radio show. It is expected that Julio 'Sam' Henry, Khoy Smith, and others will make regular guest appearances. It will be aired every first and third Wednesday of every month.

According to Wheatley, the purpose of this show is to provide yet another platform for the people to discuss the affairs of the territory.

Guests with expertise will regularly be invited on the programme to provide credible information and perspectives that the audience can benefit from, he said.

Wheatley said 'Things to Talk' will draw on media reports, government statements, and other information disseminated locally and internationally to bring more focus to issues like good governance, education, infrastructural development, crime, health, economic development among other issues.

“There have been several studies in the past three or four years about the airport expansion project...cost/benefit analysis...business case...just lots of information as to what are going to be the advantages of the airport. What are going to be the drawbacks to the airport?” he said.

“We don't know what is in the studies because they haven't been made public.”

The host of the show, Wheatley said the business case for the airport expansion is something that he has been asking for from “Jump Street.”

“We want to know how much it is going to cost and we want to know whether it is going to be profitable, at what point it will pay back the money,” said Wheatley.

16 Responses to “New radio talk show ‘Things to Talk’ comes on air”

  • Strupps (02/06/2016, 08:50) Like (9) Dislike (22) Reply
    why don't rogers go back the America so Donald Trump can show him a thing or two about the Freedom of Information Act
    • IGNORANT (02/06/2016, 10:27) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      Trump is a fraud cheating people out of millions. He uses bankruptcy to walk away from development that isn't working leaving vendors and workers with no paychecks and holding the bag. He is a dictator-- rude, ignorant, self-important, dangerous to the world. If Donald was interested in freedom of information act, he would release his taxes. Rogers tries to be careful with documentation and truthfulness.
      • @ IGNORANT (02/06/2016, 11:49) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
        He reminds me of an NDP minister
        • rite way (02/06/2016, 14:47) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
          funny man is no fraud he just thought you all will never find out about he sell/merge his own company
  • ccc (02/06/2016, 09:35) Like (22) Dislike (3) Reply
    NDP HATES THE PRESS JUST BECAUSE THEY CANT TELL LIES TO THE PEOPLE
  • where are they now (02/06/2016, 09:47) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Most talk shows go into sleep mode once the VIP is out of power. Remember fletcher scattliffe, carl dawson, elihu rhymer, larry rhymer, ira smith, conrad maduro, edison oneal, kelly taxi and the rest of the VIP haters???????
  • wize up (02/06/2016, 10:24) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Lord help the VI Lander in this place(talk that!!)
  • for real (02/06/2016, 11:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Another talk show well sir more of the same
    • wize up (02/06/2016, 14:21) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ for real: at least ZBVI making money but at the end of the day all of these talk shows and the territory is no better off: some of those shows are simply to promote personal agendas some will promote political agendas...the only media house them trying to crucify is VINO!!!!
  • BVIslanders.. (02/06/2016, 14:25) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good business for ZBVI, the rates need going up..However these are BVIslanders that have the rights and the courage to speak up and speak out. Hope they are Factual and fair
  • gutz & glory (02/06/2016, 15:07) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Notice that only road town and east end people host radio shows the rest of you all are a bunch of cowards.
  • voter (02/06/2016, 21:31) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Yawn.. still not going to get guy elected or even his deposit back. Deserves a C grade if only for persistence.
  • Boo (02/06/2016, 21:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Boss moustache there Freeman Rogers. Boss looking moustache!
  • Guest (03/06/2016, 05:54) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    any government calling for media code it's just a code word for censorship, media be on the look out
  • Great Things. (05/06/2016, 12:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Whether some of you like it or not, this coming generation is the generation of information and we will be the generation to bring forth a cultural revolution for the British Virgin Islands.. Or should I say Virgin Islands. Alot of BVIslanders are caught up in an illusion of freedom in the BVI and also given an illusion of choice. These British people shed our ancestors blood, killed them and raped them so they could take over, take what resources they want and need and now they rule over us... It's already bad enough that our last names were given to us by our slave masters.. For God sake we are named after them: British Virgin Islands? and we out here singing 'God save our gracious Queen'? Lol.. Wake up people. Thank you SOWANDE for creating such a platform cause the older heads sleeping for too long buddy.


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