Turks and Caicos television station bans opposition party programming
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| Published on Tuesday, August 12, 2008 |
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By Tess Hennigan
Caribbean Net News Staff Reporter
Email: tess@caribbeannetnews.com
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands: WIV4, a Turks and Caicos Islands television station, has pulled programming by the opposition People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), causing concern over censorship and freedom of speech.
According to a press release by the PDM, WIV4 sent the Leader of the Opposition a letter informing him that they were seeking to discontinue the television show, “The PDM Speaks”.
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| Oswald Skippings Deputy Leader of the PDM |
In the letter, WIV4 refers to statements made by Oswald Skippings, Deputy Leader of the PDM, in an episode that did not air, which WIV4 claimed were defamatory.
The PDM says it has yet to be informed of the offending statements, nor has the party been engaged in any form of dialogue with WIV4 management. “In fact,” says the Opposition, “our phone calls to management were unanswered and never returned prior to yesterday [Saturday].”
The Opposition Party released a press statement claiming that, on several occasions, representatives for the PDM have requested a contract; yet, to date WIV4 has not provided one. The PDM says it is concerned by WIV4’s unwillingness to enter into a contract.
According to the PDM, the events that have transpired in their relationship with WIV4 give rise to speculation that there is pressure from the ruling Progressive National Party (PNP) to keep PDM programming off the airwaves.
“We hold freedom of speech to be among the most important basic human rights,” says the PDM, and, “we believe these principles ought to be enshrined in our constitution and recognized by all bodies, including corporate entities.”
“We take exception to the fact that a company, whose shareholders are American, a country that prides itself on being the beacon of freedom and democracy, would allow itself to be a willing accomplice in censorship, and restriction of information, to the public.”
In their press statement, the opposition party claims, “We believe that WIV, is again, allowing itself to be intimidated by the government, who is running a self preservation campaign to stop people from cooperating with the Commission of Inquiry.”
Finally, notes the PDM, WIV has a vital role to play in the fair distribution of information of national significance and education of our people.
Emails sent by Caribbean Net News to WIV requesting comment went unanswered at press time. | | | | Reads : 410 | | | |
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