PTV must link with Government says Opposition Leader

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, December 20, 2022 – Opposition Leader Edwin Astwood says the Government is missing a big opportunity as PTV has announced they are on the cusp of suspending operations.  The opposition leader was speaking in the House of Assembly as he rose to give his support to a $3.1 million write-off for the company but the question of whether the government can truly handle such a partnership remains.

While lauding the effort by Minister of Home Affairs, Otis Morris, who tabled the write-off, despite it taking eight months to move from the Cabinet to the House of Assembly, Astwood called for more support, even a partnership to help the company.

“We know that for years we have been crying for the improvement of RTC. We would want to see RTC reach all the islands and we would think that in 2022 RTC should be showing video and audio.  I do believe that this is a golden opportunity for TCIG and for this company,” he said.  “Maybe RTC and PTV can be linked— we can kill two birds with one stone, we save a local business and we enhance government offerings.”

Any partnership between the government and a news organization would have to take extra steps to ensure transparency and unbiased reporting removing the risk of propaganda.

It’s not unheard of, there are many cases of government-funded independent News organizations around the globe including the British Broadcasting Company BBC.

The TCI Government has attempted this before, launching TCI New Media in the Misick-Hall Administration years. It eventually fizzled out with the takeover of the British, during the 2009-2012 suspension of the Turks and Caicos Constitution.

Peoples TV (PTV) emerged as a more balanced, non-political news entity and TV entertainment service provider – over the air – during the same period.

The company recently announced they would be suspending operations because of various hardships including serious damage to broadcast equipment in 2017 owing to hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Members of the House of Assembly, on December 12 unanimously passed a motion to write 90 per cent in debt.  Eight days on, the fate of PTV remains unstated by company executives.