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D. Gisele Isaac, Chairperson of the United Progressive Party (UPP), has raised significant concerns about recent agreements signed between Antigua and Barbuda and China, as well as the Antigua and Barbuda Broadcasting Services (ABS).
Speaking on Observer Radio this week Isaac highlighted issues surrounding freedom of expression and the potential impact of these agreements on media independence.
Isaac’s criticism primarily focused on the vague and ambiguous language used in the agreements, which she described as “nebulous” and “not definitive.”
She expressed apprehension about the lack of clarity regarding what Antigua and Barbuda may be conceding in these agreements, emphasizing the importance of transparency and public awareness regarding international deals.
“The wording is so nebulous, so ambiguous, so not definitive, you don’t even know what we’re signing on to, what we’re getting, what we’re giving up,” Isaac remarked, reflecting the concerns shared by many regarding the opacity of these agreements.
Of particular concern to Isaac was the agreement between China Media Group and ABS.
She questioned the rationale behind this partnership, especially considering China’s reputation as a one-party state with limited freedom of the press and expression.
“What on Earth training could they be giving to journalists here?” Isaac questioned, highlighting the potential risk of information suppression or indoctrination in journalistic practices.
Isaac also expressed alarm over personnel changes in the media landscape, citing the appointment of a media professional from Dominica to lead GIS in Antigua as a worrisome development.
“We already know regardless of where you sit politically, ABS is just a public relations arm of the government,” Isaac stated, underscoring her skepticism about the necessity and motives behind the alliance with China for journalist training and program exchanges.
The opposition chairman further criticized recent legislative changes, such as amendments to the Electronic Crimes Act, which could restrict freedom of expression on social media platforms.
She warned against potential censorship and infringement on constitutional rights, urging a commitment to upholding press freedom and democratic principles.
Isaac’s concerns extended to recent incidents highlighting challenges to freedom of expression, including the removal of a billboard message critical of a public figure, which she argued reflected a worrying trend of censorship and suppression of dissenting voices.
“We living now in a state where the DCA and the police can just rip down something off private property with zero notice to the owner or the occupier,” Isaac lamented, highlighting what she sees as encroachments on fundamental freedoms.
Isaac called for greater transparency in international agreements, safeguarding media independence, and upholding the principles of freedom of expression essential to a democratic society.
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Where you been? While this is a worthy subject to address, but it’s too little too late?
The ten MOU with China should have analyses and discussed long time ago.
These so called agreements make no sense.
What is Antigua and Barbuda shipping to China to justify the Maratine Agreement?
Now that UPP is not in power, suddenly Ms. Isaac knows the right way to do things. WOW! Where was the transparency then.
If this article was better written to state any real harm of getting help from the Chinese, I could understand. All I can see from this article, just the plain old American propaganda – do not trust the Chinese. Guess what, not many other nations helping us.
Chairperson D. Giselle is spot on. The Chinese knew Gaston Browne was in over his head in dealing with him. The red carpet treatment worked wonders; soften him up to make him feel important, then follow up with meetings to sign MOUs which he barely understands. It cannot be stressed often enough: the most sinister of all these MOUs is the proposed link of ABS to Chinese Media Services, the mouthpiece of the repressive and oppressive Chinese regime. So, the Chinese are the only ones helping us? Ask yourself why. Maybe they find the stench of nepotism and cronyism overbearing. Read the exposure of the latest shenanigans, it might help you.
@JBF,
While Antiguans are sitting and standing around calling each other names.
If you have read the 10 MOUs as I have; you should have noticed there are numerous red flags and questions. Many times, it’s not the question asked but how one ask the question.
First, they were referred to as the 10 MOUs and the heading on the documents says they were MOUs. Will they remain MOUs or be developed into Contract Agreements.
The MOU documents publicly issued had the signature of the Chinese counterpart; but no signature of the Antigua Government official who signed. I would guess the Chinese has a copy with the signature of the Antigua official who signed their copy of the MOUs.
These documents were obviously drafted by the Chinese with the stilled language and not the language we are use to on legal documents or contracts.
The Chinese are not helping us they are helping themselves. I would agree with you about the problem there are problems with American propaganda. While busy propagandizing they fail to see the Chinese stranglehold on the Caribbean.
The money spent on protecting expansionist in the middle east and protecting Europe needs to be spent in their own back yard.
If the Chinese want to do some good in the Caribbean; Haiti needs some help.
That is the last place where they will be a Road and Belt program.
You may call it help and I’ll say: “Handouts don’t come cheap”.
It’s never too late to look into every agreement that this administration signed, in fact, I do think they should look up everything that this Browne administration has signed.
This Government has done so much shady dealings, that’s it’s even hard for the general public to keep up with these things. Every week it’s something new with this dirty administration. when it’s not the Alpha Nero (still ongoing) it’s the Nigerians, to the Chinese, to the Arabs, and the list is endless, while almost none of these deals are for the benefit of all Antiguans, none.
Just look people, please look, and tell me where any of these deals has put money in your pockets or help you out of these hard economic times which we are coming out from after Covid, please tell me?
This Government has squandered the loot, and now they are trying to catch up to their failed corrupt practices, plain and simple. So, all these announcements about record income at the seaport and airport, is just blowing smoke to try and appease you, because there is no money, they spent it all on their many travels abroad and their many wives and girl friends.
Thankyou Giselle. Anything to slow the Chinese colonization of Antigua and Barbuda. Now about that base they built at Marble hill…
You guys need to give me a break. Was ABS ever a transparent media outlet. ABS is state owned and which ever government is in power controls it. Have you ever heard ABS opposing the government in power or exposing any wrong doing of the government it power.
The reports you hear on ABS are like ‘The minister of (XYZ ministry) says that..’ no real questions asked. No investigative journalism at all.
Can the Chinese make it any worse?
I totally agree with you on this one. No investigative journalism at all.
That is not unique to Antigua and Barbuda. Lack of investigative journalism is among the primary reason why the Caribbean goes around the world with hat in hand.
We are totally in agreement with “on ABS are like ‘The minister of (XYZ ministry) says that.’ no real questions asked.
The day we get some investigative journalist who are skilled in developing their sources and they have editors and publishers who will back them up, The Caribbean will be a different place.
CARIBBEAN INSTITUTIONS ARE FAILING ITS PEOPLE STARTING WITH: UWI AND THE MEDIA
What is the Chairwoman of the UPP campaigning for? Here is the reason for my question.
There are so many national issues that she should be guiding the UPP elected members of parliament as well as the Constituency caretakers to strategically introduced as and follow up as Richard Lewis has done.
Instead, Madame Chairperson is acting as if she is running for public office.
Strategically her out-front actions do not make any political sense, unless it is her thinking that these individuals (elected MPs) lack the ability to write on a subject with substance, and the wherewithal to defend and expand on public policy issues.
All ten (10) MOUs with China makes absolutely no sense. They are “giveaways” to China just like the LIAT (2020) give away to Air Peace right under the nose of not only Antigua and Barbuda but the entire Caribbean.
I’m not knocking the fact that these issues are being brought to the public’s attention. It’s the means and method by which they are brought to the public’s attention; and by who they are brought to the publics’ attention.
In politics, the message is just as important as the messenger.
Spot on D. Giselle Isaac!
Of all places to look for media assistance. China’s media is known to only impart state propaganda and no other view is tolerated. Chiba ranks as the “worst jailer “of journalists. Chinese journalists are often detained for allegedly negative coverage. Independent journalists and bloggers are often surveillance, harassed, detained and in some cases tortured. It doesn’t look that we would go to such a place for media training and assistance.
The media and Giselle should insist on been addressed in a gender neutral pronoun as chair person instead of what obtained from a male dominated society.
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