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Premier Wheatley calls for code of conduct for journalists

- said free speech & freedom of the press should be exercised responsibly & according to high international standards
Following the shutting out of Rosemary Cindy Rosan from what was intended to be a Premier’s press conference on February 20, 2023, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) is now calling for a code of conduct for journalists in the Virgin Islands (VI). Photo: GIS/File
Reporters boycotted the press conference by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) after Rosemary Cindy Rosan (2nd from right) was reportedly barred from it. Photo: VINO
Reporters boycotted the press conference by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) after Rosemary Cindy Rosan (2nd from right) was reportedly barred from it. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Following the shutting out of Rosemary Cindy Rosan from what was intended to be a Premier’s press conference on February 20, 2023, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) is now calling for a code of conduct for journalists in the Virgin Islands (VI).

Dr Wheatley, in a brief statement on February 20, 2023, said he fully supports free speech and freedom of the press, which are pillars of democracy; however, he said both should be exercised responsibly and according to high international standards.

Code of conduct

“In light of the importance of high journalistic standards to keep the public informed and recent questionable decorum by at least one person at a recent press conference, the Premier's Office is urgently calling on the press to collaborate on developing a code of conduct that would help to guide the conduct and behaviour of journalists at press conferences and also offer guidance on the handling of misconduct,” Dr Wheatley stated.

He said the Premier's Office will be requesting a meeting with the Press Corps on the development of a policy on government press conferences.

“We look forward to engaging our vibrant local media partners in this endeavour,” Dr Wheatley said.

After Rosan was denied access to the press conference, which was called to update the public on Premier Wheatley’s attendance at the recent CARICOM Meeting in The Bahamas, the remaining journalists boycotted the press conference.

Dr Wheatley; however, proceeded to just give his statement on the CARICOM meeting as well as other issues on the local front.

See related article below:

Cindy Rosan shut out of Premier’s press conference

25 Responses to “Premier Wheatley calls for code of conduct for journalists”

  • saddam (21/02/2023, 12:05) Like (13) Dislike (17) Reply
    HAIL HITLER
    • hmm! (21/02/2023, 13:06) Like (23) Dislike (9) Reply
      How many times false statements were made toward the fellow, was there any apology made. Keeping her out is fear for punishment. At least no suing has been issued. People should know how to behave buddy. Case close! about the man "sleep on airport floor" and then we seeing the man in the meeting as schedule. what happen to people buddy? Then you hearing public announcement about the man crutch, who wants to know? Give it a break already, it is annoying.
      • Rubber Duck (21/02/2023, 14:23) Like (25) Dislike (4) Reply
        Guavaberry Media Inc is not incorporated in the BVI. It follows that it has no trade license.
        The whole 'newsroom' is a fiction. Sindee is not press, and is just a loud mouth attention seeker with an ugly character!
        Sindee has form for making up stories (sleeping on the airport floor etc).
        She needs help not admission to a press conference.
      • Strange (22/02/2023, 00:55) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
        This is the same man who used ZBVI to Bomb the NDP & VIP when he was desperate to get into power? Karma is a bitch
    • VIP need to Relax. (21/02/2023, 13:43) Like (24) Dislike (13) Reply
      Nothing is wrong with the media, just answer the questions nicely and honestly...Same way Ralph was behaving with Zan, those days Zan was on work permit threatening him... That what the Xpats on work Permit reporters had to go through, so they were scared to ask the tuff questions, we better thank God for Cindy a serious local reporter that cannot be intimidated or threatened...Then again how come we never had these issues under NDP Govt.
      • hmm! (21/02/2023, 15:26) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
        SHE IS NOT MEDIA!!!!!! NO TRADE LICENSE, About Guavaberry my foot, is father christmas time?
    • Rubber Duck (21/02/2023, 22:12) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      He doesn't seem keen on a code of conduct for politicians however.
  • Not good (21/02/2023, 12:16) Like (24) Dislike (7) Reply
    This is terrible , not good democracy at all. You are going down the wrong hole as your predecessor .
    STOP IT !!
  • cap (21/02/2023, 12:34) Like (17) Dislike (6) Reply
    Wheatley and Cindy both need to go. This is a small country and right now people acting like little school children gossiping and playing games. We want a serious leader, and journalists who behave maturely.
  • i mean.... (21/02/2023, 12:36) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    There should be some type of standard. Pure gossip on these news sites sometimes like watching Fox News. Defamation is a real thing everywhere else in the world.
  • Query (21/02/2023, 12:37) Like (17) Dislike (8) Reply
    Presenting false documents claiming to be a journalist and under a false company is a crime isn't it?
  • WHAT!!! (21/02/2023, 12:48) Like (14) Dislike (5) Reply
    Yes dictator,
    No premier or chief minister before you has ever barred someone from a press conference and absolute never called for s “code of conduct “
  • @ HAIL HITLER (21/02/2023, 12:54) Like (7) Dislike (5) Reply
    HEIL ADOLPH HITLER ,,/ HE WAS AN EVIL MAN , BUT I DON'T THINK THIS JOKER IS EVIL , JUST YOUNG AND IGNORANT ,( TOO MUCH BRAINS ) FORCE RIPE , MAYBE
  • smh (21/02/2023, 12:58) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    PURE MADNESS.
  • CoC(k) (21/02/2023, 12:59) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    CoC (Code of Conduct) is desperately needed for our elected representatives ASAP. What’s good for the goose good for the gander! The house whip needs to be unbiased (good luck) and keep these amateurs in line and doing the peoples work and not their personal agendas against citizens!
  • Guest (21/02/2023, 13:03) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    Is it anything like the code of conduct for the COI policies for the politicians that still cannot be completed?
  • here is some help (21/02/2023, 13:42) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    As a true journalist, your first code of ethics is to seek truth and report it.

    I don't want to get into who is right and who is wrong, but let u all conduct ourselves accordingly.

    This link should help somewhat if you desire to post my comment

    https://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp
  • Yes code of conduct for Cindy them (21/02/2023, 14:05) Like (12) Dislike (6) Reply
    These journalists just running wild and spreading gossip. Cindy is the worse ah them. Standards for the media really needed. Very very poor in BVI. Good idea for a code of conduct.
  • 2023 (21/02/2023, 14:28) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    the 13 should go
  • News (21/02/2023, 14:30) Like (7) Dislike (6) Reply
    Anything that requires you to act or behave in a certain manner is now wrong. The lady should be allowed into the News Conference. We treasure this kind of behavior. The world is watching
  • J (21/02/2023, 15:36) Like (6) Dislike (6) Reply
    I agree with the code of conduct because reporters should act professionally and there should be consequences for bad behavior. We don’t have time for listening to nonsense when our territory is at stake.
  • Agree (21/02/2023, 16:43) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Code of conduct is needed for real they think they are talking to little children and behaving like they are above the laws of the land at times. Respect your self first than you will learn to respect others and authority.
  • no no no (21/02/2023, 17:04) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Cindy is a control freak that doesnt know where she ends and others begin she wants to control her world and everyone elses too mind your own business and stop trying to gain control by slinging dirt
  • childishly (21/02/2023, 18:19) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    Little boy
  • @,,............. (21/02/2023, 18:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let's see..


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