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Fresh anti-defamation laws needed for BVI — Walwyn

NDP Chairman Myron Walwyn.

Former legislator Myron Walwyn wants fresh anti-defamation laws to be drafted for the British Virgin Islands.

“It is a matter that has to be looked at, and it would require us to revisit our defamation laws taking into account the new reality of social media,” Walwyn said in a political conference last Friday.

In that vein, he said some level of priority should be given to drafting the legislation.

He made a call on the heels of the 2019 General Elections which was muddied with a number of unsavoury social media memes and messages.

“I would be happy if something can be done in perhaps this upcoming House of Assembly to make sure that something like this doesn’t happen again,” Walwyn said.

He recommended that provisions be made in the law to even penalise persons who forward defamatory messages.

Walwyn, who was unsuccessful in his campaign to get elected for a third consecutive term, said he believes defamatory messages about himself, his family, and the NDP on which he served as leader contributed to his defeat at the polls.

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25 Comments

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  1. Losers says:

    Let those who love talk about people continue. They will be paying you for the rest of their life. You know the law is already against such heinous act.

    Evil bad minded people are among us waiting to see you fall but God has a different plan for those who secretly talk about you and invade your privacy.

    They may not get the fire today but it coming. We have a savior the same one they get up praying to is the same one watching their evil ways.

    Rebuke the devil in Christ hame! Set of piece of shitts. While they defame sickness could be coming up on them or something bigger but God!!!!

    Like 7
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  2. Being Human says:

    I concur. However, it is ironic that this recommendation is being made after the fact. For a number of years prior to general elections, a number of crucial decisions that in some cases even ruined families, were made based on hearsay, malicious rumour and scandal, as against prudent and thorough inquiry. Let us not now call for legislation only when we become victims of the very practices we encouraged (either through silence or praxis) for years. Rather let us take firm steps to discourage this practice to humane a nation that still suffers from the trauma of Irma, corruption and victimization. Perhaps “We” can now all grow up and speak and act responsibly, now that through painful personal experience, we can relate to the concept of mud-slinging.

    Like 14
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  3. This Man ... says:

    Gonna get attack by the blogs again. But it seems that one speech is broken down in pieces by the media who is the instigator of the attacks. The media knows how the people feel about MW and they keep adding wood & fuel to fire. SMH

    Please post … Freedom of Speech. Not an MW fan …

  4. strupes says:

    Why he didn’t pass them while he was there, especially when he did it to frazer during the previous election?

    Like 27
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    • Oh Well says:

      Right. He did it to everyone else during this election too, but someone said something that really mashed his corn. He was right there keeping up with the negative speakers.

      Like 12
      Dislike 1
  5. frazcar says:

    I thought this guy flew away with the thrushies?

    Like 20
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  6. SMH says:

    Still trying to have his way. Stop living in denial and accept that your own demeanor was your defeat.

    Like 27
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  7. Guest says:

    While I get kinda what he means, I also look at the broader ramifications. B—— comic could also fall in his way based on the broad implications. I suggest you go live in Russia and North Korea.

    Like 12
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  8. Hmmm says:

    You could tell someone where to send or how to used there own message, me son go sit down.

    Like 7
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  9. FACTS says:

    go sit down you were in the house of assembly doing the same thing against the defenseless

    Like 20
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  10. youareabully says:

    Oh please!

    Don’t come wagging your tail now that you were defeated.You ran a nasty and distasteful campaign with heavy name calling that showed us the people of the BVI, you were not capable of running a country. You were the main one throwing shade at different parties. When you referred to Honorable Ronnie Skelton as “BoB the builder” and making reference to the size of his head;who reprimanded you for that mess! You brought your own campaign to a demise!Take your loss for what it is! A LOSS!!!!!

    Like 29
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  11. Riley reed says:

    He is only saying that because the election did not go his way. He spent the last few years in parliament and had every chance to do just that.

    He didn’t do anything because he was reaping the benefit from the dirt on other people.

    But now he is feeling some of the heat, he can’t handle it.

    Like 21
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  12. Myron Walwyn please. says:

    Stop while you have a chance to. You are really not relavant right about now. You had eight years and the NDP had 12 of the last 16. Seize the time.

    Like 19
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  13. :) says:

    Bob the builder, emperor without clothes, the bottom of the gutter is green, thrushes will fly away, accusations of ongoing FBI investigations and collecting payments for contractors and waiting for their portion. One man have said these things then he act like he is Mother Teresa and that everybody else is being mean to him.

    Like 10
  14. For his information says:

    If he know anything about the damn constitution he would know about freedom of speech. No defamation for public figure unless malice and reckless disregard for the truth can be shown. He look like he now suffering from the Skelton-cline rejection syndrome. It don’t have a special home for them people? Struupes… Get off the damn media.

    Like 6
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    • Prove it's an 'untruth' says:

      The thing with defamation is that you the victim then have to prove what was said was a blatant lie…that should be interesting.

  15. BVI says:

    I DON’T UNDERSTAND PEOPLE IN THE BVI I WONDER WHAT PEOPLE LIVING OUTSIDE THE BVI DOES SAY WHEN THEY READ SOME OF THESE COMMENTS.THE NDP IS NOT IN GOVERNMENT YOU ALL NEED TO FOCUS ON YOUR NEWLY ELECTED GOVERNMENT AND STOP WAITING FOR WHENEVER MW MAKE A STATEMENT TO MAKE YOUR DIRTY COMMENTS.A SET OF SICK PEOPLE YOU ALL NEED HELP AND SOME OF YOU SAYING YOU EDUCATED.

    Like 3
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  16. I do not understand says:

    Why all the NDP people can do all the wrongs, all the negative talks bashing everyone. And as soon as turns around on them they become the innocent ones acting like they never hurt a fly…. As a non belonger, non citizen you all should be ashame of yourselves. Why you do not tell MW to tek he loose and respect who is in gov now. All you NDP supporters need to GO SIDDUNG and tek alyo LOOSE. #fooliness

    Like 4
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  17. Tolian says:

    Let Myron go sit is v********e a** down. His attitute and show off mess is what lost him the election.

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