Social Media and the Law: PM Browne Urges Caution Amid Rising Online Defamation
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has called for greater responsibility in the use of social media, warning that defamatory statements made online may lead to legal consequences.
Speaking on Pointe FM on Saturday, Mr Browne addressed a recent case in which a woman published a social media post allegedly defaming him. The post was later retracted, and an apology was issued.
Mr Browne confirmed that he had initially instructed his lawyer, Jared Hulet, to pursue legal action, but said he would not proceed further following the apology. However, he insisted that any apology must clearly state that the original claims were false.
“She said she may have defamed me, but that is not sufficient,” Mr Browne said. “A proper apology must include a definitive statement that what was said was untrue.”
The incident has sparked wider discussion about the legal boundaries of online speech in Antigua and Barbuda. Mr Browne said the case should serve as an example of the importance of accuracy and accountability when discussing public figures and national matters online.
Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan, who also appeared on the programme, said that repeating false allegations—regardless of how they are phrased—can constitute defamation.
“Merely stating something as an allegation does not protect a person from a defamation suit,” Mr Astaphan said.
The prime minister warned that with political tensions rising, there is growing concern about misinformation and personal attacks on social media.
“This is not just about me,” Mr Browne said. “When false claims are made against the prime minister, it damages the country’s reputation.”
He added that while freedom of expression is important, it does not override the legal protections individuals have against defamation.
The government has not indicated whether further legal action will be taken in similar cases, but officials say they are monitoring developments closely.
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BREAKING NEWS Mr. PM.
You are damaging your own reputation and the country’s reputation when you make defamatory statements and personal attacks against others on social media and your radio station. Think twice before you speak. You are the leader of this country so it’s not always tit for tat especially when defamatory remarks are coming from the common
man. If you want to sue them so be it but you also have to watch your words. Rise above certain things and show the world you have class.
Ah wey de man wid, de BULLBUD gorne? Ah who he goh lash with he BULLBUD? Ah who fah ass, he’s going to push de BULLBUD, up inna?
De BULLBUD MAN ah cum.
@ Gaston: you must be nostalgic at the days of one family controlling the media and the people in the bird family dynasty which you have started by putting your wife up as a minister and next it will be your son. But you not going to scare the people into submission to your dictatorship because they are illiterate of civics and the constitution, you can curse women about the modest them wear for them monthly period, then you have the court silent us from talking of your misdemeanor. Something is wrong with the judiciary as they are quiet allowing politicians to do as they please causing the populace to seek recourse all the way at our former colonial master door step in the privy council. I think the head of the judicial system in the eastern Caribbean should speak on politicians encroaching on the judicial system manipulatimgnit against the citizens and political opponents. But Gaston we are not scared of you and doesn’t matter how much policeman that are not educated on the police laws and constitution you arm with m-16 machine guns against barbudans to create separate buffer zone demarcated for white people only as apartheid south Africa and Israel, Marxism theorized that the common people will always find away to triumph.
@ Gaston: you must be nostalgic at the days of one family controlling the media and the people in the bird family dynasty which you have started by putting your wife up as a minister and next it will be your son. But you not going to scare the people into submission to your dictatorship because they are illiterate of civics and the constitution, you can curse women about the modest them wear for them monthly period, then you have the court silent us from talking of your misdemeanor. Something is wrong with the judiciary as they are quiet allowing politicians to do as they please causing the populace to seek recourse all the way at our former colonial master door step in the privy council. I think the head of the judicial system in the eastern Caribbean should speak on politicians encroaching on the judicial system manipulating it against the citizens and political opponents. But Gaston we are not scared of you and doesn’t matter how much policeman that are not educated on the police laws and constitution you arm with m-16 machine guns against barbudans to create separate buffer zone demarcated for white people only as apartheid south Africa and Israel, Marxism theorized that the common people will always find away to triumph.
An apology does not exonerate you. The feds are closer than you think.
People the PeeeeeeeeeM is hypocritically right.
Any defamation on social media must be done by him.
I fully understand why.
If he defames anyone he has the collateral to make amends.
Does anyone of you social media bully have as much money as Gaston to defend yourself in the face of a suit?
While he cautions people against it on social media he is the master of it on his preferred radio station.
Are you concerned about the defamation Mr PeeeeeeeeeM or do you want to patent, register and trade mark it?
Gassy, please lead by example. Not by mere words!!!!
The Dogs are on his backside, so now Gatson Browne himself wants to be a big dog with a big bite.
Defamation my butt..
Go spend your money on something better please, rather than giving lawyers your ill-gotten riches to pursue your frivolous lawsuits.
The country is crying out for help, and the best this pompous man can do, is cry like a little girl.
You are no leader Gatson Browne, at least not for the best interest of your people.
You have squandered the golden days of Antigua, and now the country is financially and spiritually broken.
I keep telling y’all that this man is a Joke.
People calling you out, is not defamation joker, and no court system will hear your foolishness. You are just trying to bully the people into submission.
Oh please.
There is definitely a thin line between free speech and freedom of expression. Whilst I am a big proponent of responsible and accountable reporting, we seem to be getting to a place where any and everything can get you taken before the courts and sued. This is doing nothing but driving fear and nervous tension into the hearts and minds of citizens and borders on dictatorship. The good ole saying, “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never harm me” seem irrelevant these days. Whilst I agree that cyber slander can negatively impact another person’s reputation, we have to be mindful and careful of preventing people from speaking out on pertinent and topical issues that are facing the nation. Our Democracy thrives on everyone having a voice, no matter how “silly” their input might seem. Politicians and public officials MUST be held to a higher standard than ordinary citizens and by the very nature of their job, they will always be scrutinized and criticized for right or wrong. If Donald Trump was to stop and argue and respond to every dog that bark and even those that curses him, then he would not have the time to raise tariffs and perform his other roles as President. Our leaders have become too thin skinned, touchy, sensitive and easily offended.
Creative self en-richer Gaston Browne always acting like a likka spoiled brat. He love dish out shit to everyone and whoever he feel like and can’t take it when it get dished back to him. What does the spoiled brat do next, he hires expensive attorneys using our tax dollars to go after the same people he fling shit at. Our tax dollars are for his personal use as he likes.
You get what you vote for. Vote wisely next time or you get what you get. No one else to blame but yourselves.
Lub so no hab so, you do it to others but no one should do it to you. This Autocracy must come to an end, waiting to hear from Faithful National #1 the chief Lickspittler
Gaston, you should be the very last person in the world to be talking about on line Defamation.You would go on RUM SHOP RADIO and defame others on Saturdays. Is that okay,DAWG? Going online is not okay.You with your Charlie Chaplin stache need to go,now.
@Audley Phillip,
This is not an issue to straddle the fence. It’s beyond the free speech arguments.
You very well know what Gaston Browne is doing. You very well know we live in a country where vulgarity is entertainment.
The Prime Minister thinks he has a monopoly on the right to insult degrade and defame. To argue differently is to be disengenous.
Gaston Browne has insulted many with the most vulger and debasing words with impunity.
While he constantly dishes out against and degrades each and everyone who he thinks is against him. He thrives on his ability insult and to outspend them in court.
That’s why he is quick to threaten with defamation anyone who offends him.
The thin line of freedom of speech argument is like a worn tire. It does not apply here.
What has happened is that the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda has been using Anthony Astaphan to practice and conduct a Lawfare campaign against Barbuda.
This is not a discussion about freedom of speech. This is Lawfare.
Anthony Asterphan has been used to practice LAWFARE against Barbuda. Now it’s Antiguans turn.
It has been successful for Astaphan and Cutie knows they have out forward a false interpretation of split decision .
That why the false notion, which now exists that Barbuda lost at the Privy Council.
Few have read the Privy Council Decision Document. It was a Split Decision and very few are aware of it .
No differently few are aware The recent Privy Council Decision that The ECCB at el, lost big case which will be costly to OECS citizens.
Asterphan appeared on the Brown and Brown show program that generated this article in a full blown LAWFRE campaign against any Antiguans who says anything about Gaston Browne that he does not like to hear or read.