News
TCI National Debate Series Cancelled; host explains ‘he’s no scapegoat’
Deandrea Hamilton
Editor
Turks and Caicos, January 26, 2025 – All three political parties – the PDM, the PNP and the PDA – claim to have been ready for the challenge of a live streamed debate, yet the face off has been cancelled.
Show host and local businessman, Drexwell Seymour informed on Thursday January 23 that the debate would not take place because one of the political parties did not respond favourably to the idea.
The notice said: National Elections Debate CANCELLED due to no response from one of the political parties.
It was posted two days ago by Seymour. Since then, there has been an eruption of explanations, accusations and according to the host of the
Drexwell Seymour Show, insults.
“I would still love to have the debate, but after my integrity and morals have been attacked, it does not sit well with me. People need to tell the truth. Don’t use me as a scapegoat.”
According to Seymour, the truth is he sent out invitations to only two political parties initially. On January 9th the invitations were sent to the national chairmans of each major party, he told the TCI Sun newspaper. On January 10th, only the PNP had responded in the affirmative, he now only needed the PDM to confirm that it would participate.
“I received a response from the PNP chairperson on January 10 agreeing to the debate provided they meet with the PDM to discuss the format. After I did not hear from the PDM chairperson, I WhatsApp him on January 10th to tell him to check his email as I sent him an email. There was no response. On Saturday January 11, I sent another WhatsApp message to the chairperson showing the contents of the email I sent on January 9. There was no response.”
This is when Seymour tried another method, he said, before outrightly cancelling the debate.
“I informed the public on January 16th, hoping there will be a response. Still no response from the PDM. However, the leader of the PDA reminded me that his party is a registered political party and so I immediately sent an invitation to him, and he responded and agreed to participate in the debate.”
It meant the debate was to now feature all three registered political parties once the PDM confirmed, but according to the host of the Drexwell Seymour Show, that still did not happen. The PNP cried shame.
“We regret that this is the outcome as we anticipated the opportunity to engage in a robust exchange of ideas and demonstrate to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands our commitment to transparency and accountability. It is unfortunate that the other major party chose not to participate,” informed a statement from the Progressive National Party (PNP).
The PDM claims otherwise.
“The Hon. Edwin Astwood, Leader of the PDM, personally spoke with the organizer of the event, expressing his enthusiasm to engage in a debate with the Premier and his colleagues. This false claim by the PNP, combined with the organizer’s statements lacking clarity on which
political party declined to participate in the debates, leaves us with no option but to question the transparency and integrity of the process through which these debates were Organized,” said a statement from the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM).
But Seymour, who has been hosting his show for well over two years now said he had nothing to gain by offering an imbalanced platform. “I will not set up any political party or politician. It is not my character. What do I have to gain by setting up any political party? I am not a member of the PNP party. I have been apolitical and very objective in my weekly writings. I am not like some individuals who only see party colours. My objective is to get the truth out and that is why I write and that is why I wanted to have the debate.”
There are just under two weeks before the national poll. In Seymour’s mind, a national debate could still happen.
“The thing is, after I made the announcement of the cancellation, it is obvious many people wanted a debate, and this has put a lot of pressure on the political parties and many people wanted to know which party did not respond,” he also said, “If anyone wants to have a debate, they can still have a debate. It does not have to be a Drexwell Seymour Show.”
Seymour had planned to host the debates on January 23 and 24. The Turks and Caicos Islands general election is set for Friday February 7.
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
