Rosan-Jones to sue VINO for offensive cartoon
Local activist Cindy Rosan-Jones is planning to start legal proceedings against the Julian Willock-owned Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) for a derogatory cartoon representation of her published this week.
The offensive cartoon, which was later removed after receiving overwhelmingly negative feedback from readers, portrayed Rosan-Jones as mentally disturbed, among other things.
“It was very distasteful. This is not the first time VINO has done a cartoon on me but this one was definitely an attack on me personally,” Rosan-Jones said.
The news site claimed the cartoon was misinterpreted. It further said this was the first time one of its cartoons, which many deemed offensive, was removed from the website.
However, Rosan-Jones is not buying into the explanation.
“They said they retracted it but they have not apologised to me. So, my position on it stands and I have spoken with my attorney and we will be moving forward with legal proceedings on VINO,” the local activist said.
Recurring attack
Rosan-Jones said VINO’s attack on her image has been going on for roughly a year and it usually intensifies when she criticises the sitting Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government.
“Whenever I make a strong point and they (VINO) feel like it’s something that has a lot of negative attraction or attention to the government — because the paper defends the VIP — they put out a lot of negative stories and allow certain negative blogs in the comments,” she said.
“So, it is not the first time for me but VINO has been trying really hard to paint a bad picture of me and bring my reputation into disrepute. So, with the cartoon, it came to an end for me. That was the final straw,” the political activist added.
Two HOA members criticises VINO for cartoon
Two members of the House of Assembly (HOA) had criticised VINO for the ‘distasteful’ cartoon when they made their contributions to an unrelated HOA debate about the news site’s owner, Willock.
Territorial At-Large Representative and Junior Minister of Trade, Shereen Flax-Charles said her “blood ran cold” when she saw the cartoon on the website. She said it was shocking to see the mockery made of mental illness and the misogyny present in the publication.
Meanwhile, Works Minister and the Fifth District Representative, Kye Rymer also criticised VINO for its off-putting caricature of Rosan-Jones.
More legislators should have disapproved
Rosan-Jones said she was not shocked to see the situation addressed in parliament. However, she is displeased to see the issue not being brought up by more members of the HOA.
“I am disappointed it hasn’t been addressed by more members which means that the atrocious behaviour of the Speaker — since he owns VINO — is supported by his colleagues. That is what I get from the silence of the members of the House of Assembly,” Rosan-Jones said.
Controversial Speaker
The controversial Speaker of the House has been at the centre of parliamentary debates in the House of Assembly in recent times.
Premier Andrew Fahie successfully moved a motion to form a committee that will ultimately decide if taxpayers will foot the bill for Willock’s legal fees of up to $121,000 for a failed court injunction against three Commission of Inquiry attorneys.
Rosan-Jones is staunchly against government passing the burden of Willock’s fees to taxpayers and organised a protest this week to express those concerns.
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Very Good…
It is cyber bullying for sure and it is NOT ok. She is a mother for Christ sakes. VINO is despicable. Very good Cindy. Do what you have to do.
but it is not a lawsuit what a=bout when she up and down making noise in people head and them can’t sleep. Is this bullying?
I know at least four other persons that can join you in this lawsuit against this site, may I suggest that all the aggrieved parties get together and file suits against them at once, use the same lawyer, it is certainly in the best interest of our country to shut it down permanently
If Vino was printed it would be a toilet requisite.
But we must allow fee speech no matter how distasteful some of it is.
Give us all the names, and then stop watch vino. Now you gone and make VINO get a lot of hits because me so could and look to see who all could see. You up them ratings with this comment. They so glad Cindy creating attention for them.
Sue him for 121,000 Judge Jack will definitely give it to you. Then let him come back to the house and ask the taxpayers to pay this one as well.
I do agree that it was distasteful but what happen to free speech? Why waste money filing a suit? What has beeb done is done. It highlights the negativity of the other party and helps to raise awareness of mental illness. So what was ment for evil is working out for good.
Cindy is not a fan of my own however I think VINO went to far. I would have sued also. I beat they would not do that again. Hurt their pockets.
you crazy too
She need to go sit down her c**zy a** law suite going no where!!!
Defamation, sometimes referred to as defamation of character, occurs when an individual’s character or reputation is tarnished as a result of a fraudulent statement or action of another individual. Defamation can be broken down into two types: spoken, which is called slander, and written, which is called libel.
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Sounds like Mrs. Rosan-Jones has a valid case for libel.
I wonder if the premier and his cohorts in government will form a committee to review if any judgment against the speaker again should be paid by BVI taxpayers as well?
This guy keeps running up a tab and don’t want to pay. Most people who runs up tabs at the local bar without paying gets thrown out and the police called, but not this one.
He get’s a committee formed on his behalf to find a way to steal tax payers money to pay his court ordered legal fees.
That rag of a news website has been playing fast and loose with the truth from the beginning of it’s existence. It about time somebody hold them to account.
Rosan-Jones is their match. I wish her well.
A set of hypocrites! A few months ago, she blasted a lady’s photo and name all over Facebook about some dogs, was it not a defamation of her character? why is she playing a victim now?
Agreed, that woman should find others that she offended, and file a lawsuit on Cindy. All Cindy is doing is showing these racist onlookers how out of control she is. The majority of us don’t even have time for her ongoing life drama. Every day something else with her.
Really agree, and especially loved your “that rag of a news website”
It is a rag of a news paper. They are very partisan and slimy. If you submit a comment about certain topics or persons that is not in line with their beliefs, your comment is not published. Maybe the proprietor censors comments before they are published. Let’s see if this gets published.
It is, allegedly, one of Mr Willock’s political tools, set up to manipulate the BVI conversation in directions that suit his ambitions, while masquerading as a legitimate community news source.
There is almost no journalism involved. Just the esteemed agenda, which involves pushing community buttons constantly and infusing ideas as if they are common sense and widely held by many, many others. That way they become widely held by many.
It is the Fox News playbook, and similarly dangerous to society.
@ID
Wtf is esteemed about Julian Willock? That title that he endowed himself with has gone to his wigged head. Julian Willock is nothing but a ……….. *ss. Call it what it is.
Sarcasm.
She will get no where… but I see she found an audience on the bvinews racist site.
all in the cartoon is facts
you crazy too
Im going to sue u for defaming my character. See u in court where u can prove Im crazy. 🙂
As you should..they took it too far!
Vino is well aware that she has Bills outstanding, according to the cartoon her husband left her. So indeed she needs help. What vino did not know is that they would be the one providing the needed help. Law suit in their a$$.
I totally agree, since vino know she has outstanding bills. Let vino pay them. She aint the only person who have outstanding bills.
Governor Jaspert needed to sue them with the “foot on the neck” cartoon and we should have had public outrage from then. We all sat with our tails in our laps. We let this guy do to much and go to far. Bunch of enablers we are. I glad she suing and I hope her lawyer works pro bono.
You must think that lawyers fees are cheap? Cindy’s bill collectors are demanding their payment, ‘or so it’s being reported’ plus she is unemployed. Plus, court cases can take years, and she will most likely lose. Is she to create money for the court fees? She need to stop the drama and get herself in order.
Another bill for the taxpayers to foot again?
Willock going to expect the taxpayer to pay his legal fees for this too??!!!
Did they use her picture or her name in the cartoon? She just looking money with her broke backside. She will lose more money with this stupid lawsuit
At it again this guy is e**l ,and he is being encouraged to show how arrogant he is by those 2ho is supposed to show example ? LORD have mercy on these pretenders
She either loves the attn or needs the revenue or both
Who cares what the reason is. VINO WRONG PERIOD
I want to see the cartoon picture
Go on her facebook page
Try commonwealth cartoon communiques rosan jones but heed the warning that you will be viewing offensive material that should not be published again. It should be recognised for what it another disgusting Vino Cartoon. At least they took this one down which we can only take as meaning they accept it was offensive. They of course say it was misinterpreted but I think most people interpreting Vino correctly these days.
Wait for the counter suit: there are documented nasty assertions that this woman has made against a number people on social media – so we shall see
I agree 100% Sue them cant stand them,, , the reporters are shameless unprofessional puppits…I hope they pay you when the Judge say to pay you, because their owner thinks he can so whatever he wants and get away..
Suing means you have to hire a lawyer. The cartoon didn’t mention a name. The law suit will be a good one. Either way somebody will have to pay. Chi Ching chi Ching.
A name is not necessary because the manner in which the cartoon is done points to one direction or one person. The whole of BVI knows this. Those who agree with her stance and don’t agree. This could have been any woman or any man’s mother, sister, daughter, aunt, niece, cousin. Stop condoning this type of behavior.
There is no case. The court doesn’t grant verdicts based on emotion or morality. The evidence and facts will be the deciding factors. What is the evidence that definitely states that the person in the cartoon is Cindy? A lot of people didn’t even even put 2 and 2 together until Cindy put the spotlight on the cartoon. Not everything that flies and has wings is a bird.
You are right
The persons and businesses that advertise on that site need to be named and shamed for keeping that repugnant rag going. I for one will be happy to spend my money with their competitors.
Pretty simple to see who advertises on vino – that’s what’s keeps them going – Banco Popular, Nagico, Tag motors – just to name a few. Seriously where else can I get insurance besides nagico. But all these companies pay for advertising on other news sites too – so you’re plan is out. If the people keep clicking vino then the advertising revenue is going to go there. Vino also drops the news first – no matter how distorted. BVI news always last to the party which is why vino is going to survive.
I willing to bet Cindy and anybody else up to $5,000 that Cindy will lose the lawsuits if she dumb enough to sue. Maybe I’m looking at the wrong picture but the one that Cindy has posted on her page in no way justifies a lawsuit or would be a strong case.
I’m sure that it is supposed to be Cindy based on speculation and knowing Vino’s behavior but the person doesn’t even have Cindy’s hairstyle although it does resemble her. Her name is never mentioned. That’s not enough to win a lawsuit and any decent lawyer would advise not to proceed with that case.
The picture and its insinuation is distasteful especially mocking “her” divorce but you need more than words like cut deep and divorce to win a lawsuit.
Both deserve each other..both out of order.The x governor need sue both Cindy and vino. poor man had to take.COi bi$##€£.
The courts will be unsympathetic towards personal feelings and emotions. I fail to see any success in her suit.
Was she the character displayed? Is she the only person with debt? Was her name mentioned? Is there any explicit reference to her from the portrayals?
No one may like the representations made but it’s not worthy of legal action
Never have I seen a group of people that when someone is critical of them scream and complain they’ve been dissed. Ready to sue then call out racism. Can’t handle it … get out of politics
What VINO did was not nice, but, it does not merit a lawsuit. If you think you are right in filing a lawsuit then I may have to believe them. Do not let the public encourage you in this because if they were for you there would have join you in the events that led up to the many persons that are calling you crazy. These people that are encouraging like this can of confusion, and enjoy it like they watching a good soap opera.
Sue his a** really can’t stand that disgusting piece of c**p w*****k
Just put on your big girl pants and laugh about it! You must just be low on funds to sue someone.
Auditor General please keep a lizard eye on the Government purse.No more wastage.
has V*** published a false statement of fact which harms her reputation?
can see that it has published something which identifies her, arguably it may harm her reputation, but struggling to see the statement of fact.