News
Wilkie Arthur said ‘Yes!’
Editorial
Deandrea Hamilton
#TurksandCaicos, June 5, 2023 – We made Mr. Wilkie Arthur an offer which would help our company to bring regular coverage to the Courts of the Turks and Caicos Islands and we are so honoured that he accepted to do the work.
Regular updates and reporting on the happenings within the judiciary has long been lacking at Magnetic Media. What happened once arrests were made and individuals who were accused of violating our constitutional rights by breaking the laws of the land had become a mystery, with updates spotty, at best.
There is a human resource crisis in the Turks and Caicos Islands and Magnetic Media has had to be very creative in order to meet the news needs of the general public.
Our latest bold move involves a man with a notorious past in these islands. He is also a man who is incredibly talented, uniquely brilliant and we believe he is committed and ready to establish himself with a new reputation, with a new brand, if you will.
Wilkie Arthur is now a freelance court reporter for Magnetic Media.
For anyone who knows of the variety of gifts and talents of Mr. Arthur, our offer to him just made sense. Prior to his time now served at His Majesty’s Prison in Grand Turk, Wilkie demonstrated a keen knowledge of the court system
and an uncommon understanding of the law.
He did break that law and he did serve his time. It’s his past and it cost him dearly, separation from the things and ones he loved for a staggering ten years.
Now that he has done what the law required of him to do and spent his days and nights from March 2013 to April 2023 cut off from a free existence, we have opted to welcome him home.
Magnetic Media has decided to embrace Wilkie Arthur for the person that he is and for the potential he, and every human being holds.
This is not a charity situation. This is good, sensible and responsible – enabled by our complete understanding and appreciation of how God’s grace and mercy works for every man, woman and child.
Wilkie Arthur has already been before a judge and jury. He has already been sentenced and served. He is now free and ready to be part of a dramatically different Turks and Caicos. And we are happy to open a door to his re-integration to society, in a way that allows him dignity and sets him up for a notable, necessary career.
As a freelancer, he can provide court news to other media houses both near and far. As a freelancer, he sets his hours and that means he can take on other types of work. And with his name attached to every news report, you begin to know Wilkie Arthur for something other than his past.
As the CEO of Magnetic Media, I can report that two weeks into this, we are so very pleased with the caliber of his work being filed by Mr. Arthur.
We see that many readers agree and are ‘loving’ that Wilkie is working in an area that is his gift and smashing it!
Who knows, one day you might be listening to a Magnetic Media newscast and actually hear Mr. Arthur delivering a new story since he also possess a quality voice for broadcast.
Wilkie Arthur could have said ‘no’ when I asked him to join on, to help me bring more depth and width to our news reporting; but he said ‘yes’ and our Magnetic Media team is thrilled to have him on board.
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
RBPF, PACD
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
