Facebook page ‘Mika Barry’ removed amid Archer’s threat
Deputy Governor David Archer yesterday issued a strong warning to the creators of the Facebook page Mika Barry, calling for them to remove one of their latest videos that the leader said contains false and inaccurate information about him.
The creators of Mika Barry are unknown to the wider public and it seems their page has been removed from the Facebook platform in the wake of Archer’s warning.
Archer labelled the video as propaganda, inaccurate and sensational, saying the creators used his photo and made a false statement about him. He also said the video could potentially damage the BVI’s global reputation.
“Let me categorically and empathetically refute, denounce and factually condemn and deny this defamatory, slanderous, libellous, and vicious attack on my good name and reputation,” Archer said in a statement. “Equally, the erroneous statement is also an attack on the reputation of my office in which I have served with honesty and integrity for the past five years. The false statement also has the ability to bring the Government of the Virgin Islands in local, regional and global disrepute.”
Archer reminded the public that under the law, people can be fined up to $100,000 or imprisoned for a term not exceeding three years, for making defamatory statements about others.
“Defamation of one’s character is, therefore, a serious offence and one which I do not take lightly as it impacts my name, profession, and reputation,” Archer said.
He added: “I am also aware that many persons are ignorant of the law on this subject, noting the popularity of social media. Therefore, I am pausing briefly before pursuing actions against the noted defamatory video by Mika Barry to allow the author and producer to correct the inaccuracy, remove the video and issue me an apology utilising the same mediums (Facebook and Twitter) by which the video was shared by the close of business on Tuesday 19th March, 2024. Failure to do so by the prescribed time will trigger my action to pursue accountability for slander and defamation through the appropriate legal medium.”
The Mika Barry Facebook page became quite popular among Virgin Islanders at home and in the diaspora, as it publishes videos based on current happenings which implicate many popular people in the society.
Though people believed some of the claims were erroneous, the videos garnered thousands of views, likes and comments from users.
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Well the information/propaganda is already out there. “Mika’s” mission is complete, so taking it down is a no brainer. Now the apology is what you have to look out for. And what are they apologizing about?
looks like the dude in charge was ready to flex off heself / some people on the srmtreets are hollering out that he seems to have the I terrify to be a real premier for yhis country that has fallen into the hands of a set of imposters / predators / rodeo gansters who has turned it I to a drug infested killing field , guns everywhere contract killing goes on as usual and business goes on like it’s OK , brazen daylight robbery looks like its beginning to become a trend ( so more power to the brother )
ITS ABOUT TIME SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BS… AND WHAT’S SAD IS THAT PEOPLE ARE LOVING THE LIES AND GOSSIP. IT HAS VERY LITTLE TRUTH TO SOME STORIES. BUT MAJORITY ARE ALL MADE UP AND WELL PUT TOGETHER. PEOPLE CAN LOSE THEIR LIVES WITH THESE MADE UP STORIES. I HOPE WHOEVER IS BEHIND OF THIS NONSENSE CAN BE STOPPED. ITS NOT RIGHT. STOP SPREADING PROPAGANDA. REMINDS ME OF THE NATIONAL ENQUIRER. AN INVESTIGATION NEEDS TO BE DONE ON THIS. ITS GOING TO CAUSE LOTS OF PROBLEMS. THIS IS NOT A JOKE. WHY ARE YOU PEOPLE ENTERTAINING THIS? BUNCH OF COWARDS JUST MAKING UP SHIT.
If no truth is within it why are you so hurt Mr. Archer? I know your rep is on the line but your gy*****astia and the way you behave says a total different story.Maybe Mika has the facts with video evidence toooo?
You obviously have no common sense whatsoever.
Mika will be back..just wait and see. She is very tech savy
Great job standing up for yourself Deputy Governor Archer. The people are with you .
I’ll be back for season 4
And the Law waiting on you too. You and your cronies will slip up. You stepped on the wrong corn now
The damage already done
First, it is important that everyone who uses social media in any form becomes familiar with the terms under which they are allowed to post.
I also suggest folks become familiar with the terms defamation, slander and libel. Do your homework, and become familiar with the definitions of each.
I’ll give you a head start:
Slander comes from what you say, vs libel comes from what you write.
Both slander and libel falls under the umbrella of defamation. In other words, you can defame someone by saying something that you know to be untrue about them or making similar statements in writing.
For example, if I wrote and called a person a drug dealer by name, an allegation that I knew not to be true and had no evidence of, I have libeled you.
On the other hand, if I said that you are are drug dealer to you face or on the radio for others to hear knowing again that to be untrue and unproven, I have slandered you.
In both scenarios, I have defamed you and made myself vulnerable to a claim of defamation.
Bottom line is this: You cannot just say or write whatever you want about someone that is untruthful or without proof.
Now, having said that, I do believe in freedom of the press and speech, but one has to be careful, especially in this day and age, that you do not cross legal lines and defame anyone. If in doubt, just stay off social media.
Having said that, I am of the opinion, that in some part that law the DG referenced is the government’s way of attempting to stifle the opinions of those who may speak out against them.
We are not talking of defamation here, just criticism of the job they are doing or lack thereof.
That law was thought about under the NDP government to my recollection when they could not take the heat, and they were being widely criticized as a government.
Now, the assertion made in the video are quite damning and quite frankly have the potential to deepen the crisis this country found itself in with the former Premier.
I was shocked and surprised to read it. Whatever the truths or untruths are, it will come to light in time for better or for worse.
Just having the accusation hanging out there is damning enough, and I can understand the DG taking a strong position on this.
I personally have no idea about the veracity of such claims.
Now that the video has reportedly disappeared from Facebook or perhaps Twitter, that removal may not have been from the direct action of the author of that video, but rather from the direct action by Facebook on it’s own in response to a complaint.
So folks need to keep that in mind when interpreting what has transpired here in regards to the video disappearing from Facebook.
We are still left wondering who is Government Official 1. The DG has pushed back and said it was not him. Who is that person? May Government Official 1 please step forward and identify yourself.
What was in the video?
There is a verbal claim of defamation here. Why would you ask me to repeat what was stated in that video when their is an objection to it that can be a legal matter?
For me to opine further on a disputed video is to subjects myself to allegations of defamation also. In other words, spreading an alleged lie.
Remember I stated earlier:
“Both slander and libel falls under the umbrella of defamation. In other words, you can defame someone by saying something that you know to be untrue about them or making similar statements in writing.”
May I suggest respectfully, if the video is available in other forums, view it for yourself, and draw your own conclusions. You are not dealing with a Mo Mo here. 🙂
the feds does it all the time and you all believe
season 4 coming soon
Dear Mr. Archer. On behalf of the poor, senior citizens, retired and active civil servants who are still owed their salary benefits, please authorize they all be paid forthwith.
Those groups have been denied, and as a result, have been suffering many hardships for decades.
We suspect that this public letter, if BVI News permits, will be read and then cast aside.
Last, those in power will one day be removed from power. Those who are young will one day be old. Those who are firm will one day be infirm. Those who cared not for the least will be rejected one day by the least, just as they were rejected when they were in most need of compassion and fairness..
He/ She just will reopen under a different name
“Archer labelled the video as propaganda, inaccurate and sensational”.
Sounds like he talking bout V.I.N….
Is news them love true or not everything is a joke online now a day. SAD world
I have absolutely no respect … He left here some years ago to say he going Barbados to study …Give me a break! Look at that Lodge ring on his finger. Is that how he got where he is today? Them kinda organizations will be exposed one of these days.
Live in such a way that your life would not be questionable. Mika why are you letting him run you? These kind of two-faced, bright-faced undercover ph**ies needs to be exposed because they are causing the country more harm than good. Look what AF has done to our country. I am not trusting none of them!
cut one down and two more will grow in it’s place, we are legion