19:
1020:
David Morris (right) has had a rocky tenure as
Commissioner of Police in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF). The constabulary has been rocked with a long list of lawsuits against Morris over violation of police officers rights, and issues of fairness and not following the law when dealing
1084:
There have been numerous calls for Mr. John
Leonard to make a public appearance, but to date this has not happened, leading many to assume that this was a deceptive ploy as someone else was operating using the name of Mr. John Leonard. Many have questioned the relationship between Mr. Willock and
393:
The second area of criticism relates to unfulfilled promises to pass a
Freedom of Information Act in the British Virgin Islands. Despite multiple promises to introduce such legislation, to date not even draft legislation has been issued for public consultation. The Government has blamed a busy
389:
The first relates to the controversial
Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, 2014, which was criticised both within the British Virgin Islands and aboard as an attack on press freedom. Amendments to the legislation to permit "public interest" publication of information somewhat mollified those
314:
The current Editor in Chief of VINO is Reuben J. A. Stoby, and the senior reporter is
Nikolai J. Earle. According to its home page, VINO is owned by Advance Marketing and Professional Services. The domain name itself is registered in the name of an ownership privacy protection organisation.
260:
BVI News arguably has the highest profile of the three mainstream sites outside of the
Territory, ranking higher than all of its competitors internationally on both SimilarWeb and Alexa (within the British Virgin Islands it ranks second on both ranking sites). It is not viewed as politically
311:(NDP), because of the news sites frequent challenges of the policies of the NDP. VINO is also critical towards Police Commissioner David Morris. The website is associated with Julian Willock, who served from 2010 to 2012 as permanent secretary to Minister of Communications and Works.
333:
by politician and ophthalmologist, Dr Hubert O'Neal. A court initially awarded Dr O'Neal US$ 20,000 but that was later made subject to appeal. VINO accused other new sites of a hidden agenda in relation to the reports, and alleged that the lead journalist of a competitor might be
276:
Virgin
Islands Platinum News was originally named "BVI Platinum", and is often still referred to as such. Although the firm's website address reflects its original name, it now uses the Government approved national moniker. The news site has been criticised as
288:
The news sites present senior reporters are
Melissa Edwards and Gordon French. Platinum News does not publish details of its ownership online, but the web address is registered to Platinum Investors Limited, a company registered in the British Virgin Islands.
384:
in relation to allegations of press censorship. This may be a by-product of having much of the online news reporting originating from politically affiliated sources. Allegations of attempted press censorship have usually focused upon one of two concerns.
1293:
939:
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
980:
1301:
1131:
1118:
After years of being described as a mysterious or dead person, John E. Leonard is said to have parted company with
Advance Marketing and Professional Services, the parent company of Virgin Islands News Online
1054:
398:
Governments have increasingly been at pains to say that they have no intention of muzzling the press. External reviews consider that "The media enjoys freedom of the press and speech" in the Territory.
1003:
overnment ministers Mark Vanterpool and Myron Walwyn, First Lady Lorna Smith, and other business and community leaders have publicly admonished the site, alleging shoddy journalistic practices.
303:
Virgin Islands News Online (often referred to simply as "VINO", or sometimes "the Yellow Site" or "the Esteeme Site"). It is alleged that the site is align with the political viewpoint of the
340:
Also in 2013 VINO was criticised for showing pictures of a bloodied murder victim but many readers and the public came to their defense. The news site strongly defended its actions.
113:
The relative popularity of the main online news sites in the British Virgin Islands ebbs and flows over time. As at 7 April 2017 online web traffic services ranked them as follows:
322:
Doubts as to whether its marketing manager John E. Leonard actually exists, or whether he was a cipher for other parties, have been expressed both in other media, and in the
1067:"A newspaper whose editor we can't find. Deceased. John Leonard. Editor, come forward man, stop hiding behind John Leonard name," he said in a lengthy tirade against VINO.
1062:
990:
308:
278:
1139:
59:
323:
94:" locally). In a community as small as the British Virgin Islands anonymous comments often indicate inside knowledge in relation to news items, or serve as a
90:
Some news sites in the Territory allow a great deal of latitude to the public to comment anonymously upon articles (referred to, slightly misleadingly, as "
1326:
292:
In 2013 BVI Platinum was accused of breach of ethics by local politician Archibald Christian in relation to the publication of a leaked Government report.
934:
919:
he Territory's Constitutional Commission has expressed the view that 'every effort should be made', to encourage the use of the name 'Virgin Islands'.
1178:
1433:
381:
261:
affiliated. It does not publish the names of any of its senior staff or journalists. The parent company of BVI News is Media Expressions Limited.
1015:
1161:
1286:
952:
264:
Economics commentator Dickson Igwe is a regular contributor to BVI News (although he also frequently contributes the same articles to the
876:
708:
1428:
1339:
1097:
802:
614:
35:
849:
755:
78:
661:
337:
In 2013 VINO refused to pull an article after the Magistrate threatened to initiate contempt of court proceedings.
83:
1331:
295:
In 2017 BVI Platinum won the award for best online news site at the Best of the BVI Businesses Award Ceremony.
1186:
538:
304:
282:
1208:
1388:"Despite Critique, No Desire To Muzzle Press - Premier; No Commitment To Passing FOI Act This Year"
1401:
1166:
Many have even suggested that some of the Caucasian reporters, including Jason Smith, are racist!
687:
1209:"Photo Of Bloodied Murder Victim Sparks Public Outrage; Calls Made To Boycott VINO Advertisers"
18:
1033:
884:
712:
1387:
1373:
1359:
1222:
1079:
127:
966:
1422:
1374:"Broken Promise: Gov't Has Not Looked At Freedom Of Information Act - Premier Admits"
1344:
1327:"British Virgin Islands' new law threatens press freedom in Hong Kong, analysts warn"
781:
593:
828:
734:
344:
1261:
1236:
1105:
640:
906:
806:
618:
77:) both also have news websites that are updated regularly. In the neighbouring
1294:"EDITORIAL — HOA should amend cybercrime law in order to protect press freedom"
1265:
1240:
985:
853:
759:
365:
330:
122:
96:
73:
67:
326:. In March 2015 it was announced that Mr Leonard was parting ways with VINO.
935:"VINO hits back at pro-govt news site BVI Platinum, describes it as 'trash'"
665:
478:
62:(and those are both published weekly), and no full-time television station.
1314:
Last Thursday was a dark day for freedom of speech in the Virgin Islands.
1085:
Mr. Leonard, who was said to be the editor of the website in question.
318:
VINO has been part of a number of controversies during its existence.
1080:"Fraser Behind Website Tearing Down Country - House Of Assembly Told"
568:
307:(VIP). There is open conflict between the news site and the ruling
1016:"Is CoP David Morris interfering in an independent investigation?"
348:
17:
1162:"VINO fires back @ local tabloid BVI Beacon's malicious article!"
368:
as only the 542nd most popular website in the Territory, and the
953:"BVI Platinum News report 'a breach of ethics' – Hon. Christian"
91:
31:
1402:"Virgin Islands (British) Press, Media, TV, Radio, Newspapers"
520:
457:
1287:"Is the NDP going through the backdoor to censor the media?"
546:
499:
436:
967:"Platinum Voted Best Online News; Other Businesses Awarded"
87:
reports on some stories developing in the British islands.
1223:"Gov't Minister Sues News Site & Owner For Defamation"
415:
65:
Of the two functioning newspapers in the Territory (the
1360:"Controversial Cybercrime Act Takes Effect September 1"
118:
1179:"Alred Frett pulls article after court reprimand"
1055:"Questions persist about VINO general manager"
981:"Questions persist about VINO general manager"
60:British Virgin Islands only has two newspapers
8:
1132:"News site hit with $ 20k defamation ruling"
380:From time there have been criticisms of the
688:"SimilarWeb - virginislandsnewsonline.com"
115:
1021:with both police officers and the public.
929:
927:
458:"Virgin Islands Platinum News homepage"
407:
877:"The national debt: is it a problem?"
709:"Alexa - virginislandsnewsonline.com"
479:"Virgin Islands News Online homepage"
7:
343:In April 2016 Minister of Education
28:British Virgin Islands news websites
100:in relation to developing stories.
26:There are presently five principal
1138:. 28 November 2014. Archived from
1061:. 28 November 2014. Archived from
989:. 28 November 2014. Archived from
909:. Government of the Virgin Islands
14:
382:British Virgin Islands government
1185:. 16 August 2013. Archived from
1434:British Virgin Islands websites
1362:. BVI Platinum. 14 August 2014.
1300:. 19 March 2014. Archived from
1082:. BVI Platinum. 13 March 2015.
500:"284 Media - News from the BVI"
1390:. BVI Platinum. 28 March 2015.
1104:. 5 March 2015. Archived from
875:Dickson Igwe (14 March 2015).
782:"SimilarWeb - bvihotpress.com"
594:"SimilarWeb - bviplatinum.com"
1:
969:. BVI Platinum. 7 April 2017.
1376:. BVI Platinum. 3 June 2014.
1225:. BVI Platinum. 13 May 2016.
1211:. BVI Platinum. 10 May 2013.
829:"SimilarWeb - islandsun.com"
735:"SimilarWeb - bvibeacon.com"
272:Virgin Islands Platinum News
248:
245:
242:
239:
229:
226:
223:
220:
212:
209:
206:
203:
193:
190:
187:
184:
176:
173:
170:
167:
159:
156:
153:
150:
79:United States Virgin Islands
48:Virgin Islands Platinum News
1450:
1164:. VINO. 28 November 2014.
641:"SimilarWeb - bvinews.com"
299:Virgin Islands News Online
51:Virgin Islands News Online
1098:"John Leonard quits VINO"
1018:. VINO. 13 January 2015.
803:"Alexa - bvihotpress.com"
615:"Alexa - bviplatinum.com"
571:Virgin Islands Daily News
309:National Democratic Party
279:National Democratic Party
126:
121:
84:Virgin Islands Daily News
1429:News websites by country
1332:South China Morning Post
1289:. VINO. 13 January 2014.
1262:"Islandsun.com ranking"
1237:"Bvibeacon.com ranking"
850:"Alexa - islandsun.com"
756:"Alexa - bvibeacon.com"
347:sued the news site for
394:legislative timetable.
81:, the main daily, the
23:
955:. VINO. 9 April 2013.
937:. VINO. 11 May 2013.
907:"About the Territory"
662:"Alexa - bvinews.com"
437:"BVI Beacon homepage"
21:
1142:on 23 September 2015
305:Virgin Islands Party
283:Virgin Islands Party
1335:. 12 February 2014.
416:"BVI News homepage"
360:The website of the
109:Relative popularity
1189:on 4 February 2016
1065:on 16 April 2015.
329:VINO was sued for
104:Main news websites
38:in the Territory:
24:
22:BVI Platinum News.
1404:. Press Reference
1340:"Going Overboard"
1034:"VINO - Our Team"
715:on 17 August 2016
668:on 17 August 2016
621:on 17 August 2016
372:is ranked 720th.
324:House of Assembly
253:
252:
1441:
1414:
1413:
1411:
1409:
1398:
1392:
1391:
1384:
1378:
1377:
1370:
1364:
1363:
1356:
1350:
1349:
1348:. 29 March 2014.
1336:
1323:
1317:
1316:
1311:
1309:
1290:
1283:
1277:
1276:
1274:
1272:
1258:
1252:
1251:
1249:
1247:
1233:
1227:
1226:
1219:
1213:
1212:
1205:
1199:
1198:
1196:
1194:
1175:
1169:
1168:
1158:
1152:
1151:
1149:
1147:
1128:
1122:
1121:
1115:
1113:
1094:
1088:
1087:
1076:
1070:
1069:
1051:
1045:
1044:
1042:
1040:
1030:
1024:
1023:
1012:
1006:
1005:
1000:
998:
977:
971:
970:
963:
957:
956:
949:
943:
942:
931:
922:
921:
916:
914:
903:
897:
896:
894:
892:
887:on 16 March 2015
883:. Archived from
872:
866:
865:
863:
861:
852:. Archived from
846:
840:
839:
837:
835:
825:
819:
818:
816:
814:
805:. Archived from
799:
793:
792:
790:
788:
778:
772:
771:
769:
767:
758:. Archived from
752:
746:
745:
743:
741:
731:
725:
724:
722:
720:
711:. Archived from
705:
699:
698:
696:
694:
684:
678:
677:
675:
673:
664:. Archived from
658:
652:
651:
649:
647:
637:
631:
630:
628:
626:
617:. Archived from
611:
605:
604:
602:
600:
590:
584:
583:
581:
579:
565:
559:
558:
556:
554:
549:on 16 March 2015
545:. Archived from
535:
533:
531:
517:
511:
510:
508:
506:
496:
490:
489:
487:
485:
475:
469:
468:
466:
464:
454:
448:
447:
445:
443:
433:
427:
426:
424:
422:
412:
376:Press censorship
116:
1449:
1448:
1444:
1443:
1442:
1440:
1439:
1438:
1419:
1418:
1417:
1407:
1405:
1400:
1399:
1395:
1386:
1385:
1381:
1372:
1371:
1367:
1358:
1357:
1353:
1338:
1325:
1324:
1320:
1307:
1305:
1304:on 4 March 2016
1292:
1285:
1284:
1280:
1270:
1268:
1260:
1259:
1255:
1245:
1243:
1235:
1234:
1230:
1221:
1220:
1216:
1207:
1206:
1202:
1192:
1190:
1177:
1176:
1172:
1160:
1159:
1155:
1145:
1143:
1130:
1129:
1125:
1111:
1109:
1108:on 8 March 2015
1096:
1095:
1091:
1078:
1077:
1073:
1053:
1052:
1048:
1038:
1036:
1032:
1031:
1027:
1014:
1013:
1009:
996:
994:
979:
978:
974:
965:
964:
960:
951:
950:
946:
933:
932:
925:
912:
910:
905:
904:
900:
890:
888:
874:
873:
869:
859:
857:
856:on 8 April 2017
848:
847:
843:
833:
831:
827:
826:
822:
812:
810:
809:on 8 April 2017
801:
800:
796:
786:
784:
780:
779:
775:
765:
763:
762:on 7 April 2017
754:
753:
749:
739:
737:
733:
732:
728:
718:
716:
707:
706:
702:
692:
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686:
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519:
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462:
460:
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455:
451:
441:
439:
435:
434:
430:
420:
418:
414:
413:
409:
405:
378:
358:
356:Newspaper sites
301:
274:
258:
123:SimilarWeb Rank
111:
106:
36:current affairs
12:
11:
5:
1447:
1445:
1437:
1436:
1431:
1421:
1420:
1416:
1415:
1393:
1379:
1365:
1351:
1318:
1278:
1253:
1228:
1214:
1200:
1170:
1153:
1123:
1089:
1071:
1046:
1025:
1007:
993:on 18 May 2015
972:
958:
944:
923:
898:
867:
841:
820:
794:
773:
747:
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679:
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56:
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13:
10:
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4:
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2:
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1389:
1383:
1380:
1375:
1369:
1366:
1361:
1355:
1352:
1347:
1346:
1345:The Economist
1341:
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748:
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689:
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663:
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642:
636:
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561:
548:
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480:
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459:
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438:
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429:
417:
411:
408:
402:
400:
392:
388:
387:
386:
383:
375:
373:
371:
367:
364:is ranked on
363:
355:
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346:
342:
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336:
332:
328:
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321:
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316:
312:
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271:
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237:
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218:BVI Hot Press
217:
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164:
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147:
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80:
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69:
63:
61:
53:
50:
47:
44:
41:
40:
39:
37:
34:focused upon
33:
29:
20:
16:
1406:. Retrieved
1396:
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1330:
1321:
1313:
1306:. Retrieved
1302:the original
1297:
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1256:
1244:. Retrieved
1231:
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1191:. Retrieved
1187:the original
1182:
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1144:. Retrieved
1140:the original
1135:
1126:
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1110:. Retrieved
1106:the original
1101:
1092:
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1074:
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1063:the original
1058:
1049:
1037:. Retrieved
1028:
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995:. Retrieved
991:the original
984:
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911:. Retrieved
901:
889:. Retrieved
885:the original
880:
870:
858:. Retrieved
854:the original
844:
832:. Retrieved
823:
811:. Retrieved
807:the original
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785:. Retrieved
776:
764:. Retrieved
760:the original
750:
738:. Retrieved
729:
717:. Retrieved
713:the original
703:
691:. Retrieved
682:
670:. Retrieved
666:the original
656:
644:. Retrieved
635:
623:. Retrieved
619:the original
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588:
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570:
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551:. Retrieved
547:the original
540:
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522:
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503:. Retrieved
494:
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473:
461:. Retrieved
452:
440:. Retrieved
431:
419:. Retrieved
410:
397:
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369:
361:
359:
345:Myron Walwyn
317:
313:
302:
294:
291:
287:
275:
265:
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235:
199:
148:BVI Platinum
112:
95:
89:
82:
72:
66:
64:
57:
27:
25:
15:
390:criticisms.
281:, and anti-
268:in print).
30:publishing
1423:Categories
1298:BVI Beacon
1266:SimilarWeb
1241:SimilarWeb
1136:BVI Beacon
1059:BVI Beacon
986:BVI Beacon
541:Island Sun
523:BVI Beacon
370:Island Sun
366:SimilarWeb
362:BVI Beacon
331:defamation
266:BVI Beacon
249:4,943,539
236:Island Sun
230:6,143,512
213:2,206,990
200:BVI Beacon
128:Alexa Rank
97:vox populi
74:Island Sun
68:BVI Beacon
45:BVI Beacon
573:homepage"
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