News
Are we leveraging the power of local social media to bring about real change?
#TurksandCaicos, November 16, 2021 – One of the greatest strengths of any country is the right to freedom of expression, with the ability to exercise those rights without fear or retaliation. Although, this right could become a casualty of war if we fail to protect it or by denying its power.
Local social media in the Turks and Caicos Islands and around the world has been a driving force for change.
Albeit, in some countries, government is monitoring every move, every speech, every broadcast, every publication and every utterance. We are fortunate to live in a country where censorship is not a battle we have to fight.
However, with that freedom of speech and privilege, it comes with a huge responsibility, because what was meant for good could easily be misused and abused. On a regular basis, we are exposed to hateful speeches, derogatory comments and propaganda, be it by individuals or special interest groups with their own hidden agenda.
What’s disconcerting is when we use this freedom as a means to criticize and disrespect people rather than their actions. The old adage of “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”, is so far from the truth. Social media is a great sounding board, but we ought to be careful not to argue with useless words or comments that have little or no value.
In order to comprehend and advance the critical issues that are in dire need of attention in our country, we should not only focus on the headlines, but also take the time to weed through the noise on social media to get to the substance. Sitting down in front of the television set to get your updates from the 5 o’clock news, is no longer the primary medium that grabs our attention. Its social media and television is now secondary.
According to consumer technology association, more people own a mobile device than a toothbrush. With such easy access to social media, in essence, it’s like having a captive audience. However, if it’s not used for the good of society, social media will always remain a divisive topic in the public sector.
In recent years, local social media has emerged as a very effective platform for reaching TCI citizens in meaningful and engaging ways. From promoting the agenda of local politicians, to holding them accountable for their actions or lack thereof. The results of the most recent election in the TCI, is a testament to the power of local social media.
Many local Facebook users and commentators have seized on the opportunity for their voices to be heard. With high
focus on issues such as police accountability, illegal immigration, government inaction or social injustice.
When posting a comment or article in print or on social media, we should be reminded to ask ourselves the following questions; is it factual, is it enabling and empowering others to action for the betterment of the people or society in general? Or is it stoking division?
If it’s not offering solutions to our gripes, we need to change our narrative. What we need is more voices of reasoning, activism and problem solvers not just criticism. Furthermore, we have to find creative ways to get our message across without being disrespectful or demeaning with a greater focus on diplomacy.
Facebook and WhatsApp are very popular platforms which could be used by our local communities to focus on areas of common interest. Likewise, it should also be used to acknowledge our differences while finding a unified voice and ways to manage them.
In order to accomplish this, as concerned citizens, we have to first identify what are the greatest demands. Only then can we begin to work together against a common enemy rather than fighting amongst ourselves.
We may have differences, but the goal should not be to eliminate them, but to find more common ground that we can all work with and build on shared interest. We should also be very cognizant of whose narrative we are following or gravitating toward. At some point, our passion for a cause needs to go beyond the number of Facebook likes.
Although we are only a small developing country, we no longer live in a bubble and are now on the world stage. With that being said, certain comments or remarks are all things that should be given careful thought, as it could adversely impact our delicate tourism sector and the nation as a whole.
There are a number of ongoing struggles that I believe should garner greater media attention. Issues such as certain communities that are being marginalized, better housing affordability, increase in minimum wage, food and gas pricing regulations, crime and punishment and the like.
What I have learned over the years, if you want to get something done and it’s a cause that we truly believe in, then it’s worth fighting for. It cannot be a one off post or discussion.
The long and short of this article is, we should not be afraid to call a spade a spade, but let’s try to do it with more diplomacy.
Let’s capitalize on this momentum and use these popular platforms to build our people up, not tear them down and with less focus on trivial matters.
Let’s continue to put the pressure on decision makers by being methodical and relentless in our approach, and champion efforts to bring about real change.
I believe this will inspire our listeners and audience to a point that will move them to action.
Ed Forbes,
Concerned citizen of Grand Turk
News
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL STATEMENT REGARDING RECENT THREATS MADE AGAINST TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS AIRPORTS AND SCHOOLS
May 6th, 2024 – As co-chairs of the National Security Council, Her Excellency the Governor and the Honourable Premier condemn strongly recent threats made against Turks and Caicos Islands airports and schools.
We have zero tolerance for these disruptions and the alarm that they cause. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) continues to work closely with partner agencies and will keep the public updated as we manage the situation.
The National Security Council wishes to reassure residents, travellers and parents that the safety and security of our Islands is its highest priority.
All appropriate measures are being taken to address these threats and all required security protocols are being followed.
The Airports Authority and the Ministry of Education, with school principals are collaborating with the RTCIPF investigations.
We encourage the public to be extra vigilant against phishing and malicious emails and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
We appreciate the understanding of the public as we work to ensure the safety and well-being of our airports, schools and communities.
Press Release
PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS (May 3rd, 2024) The Turks and Caicos Islands’ Grace Bay Beach has once again been recognised among the top beaches in the world.
The World’s 50 Best Beaches has listed Grace Bay Beach among the top beaches in the world.
Grace Bay Beach, located on the island of Providenciales was listed at number 17 on the annual list.
The World’s 50 Best Beaches list, sponsored by Banana Boat, is a collaboration with over 1,000 of the world’s leading travel influencers and professionals.
The World’s 50 Best Beaches 2024 is a reflection of the opinions and experiences of top travel influencers and professionals around the world. The beaches were ranked according to eight important criteria: unique characteristics, wildlife, untouched, soundtrack of nature, easy to enter the water, often calm water, not too crowded and frequency of idyllic conditions.
Grace Bay Beach also featured among the top 20 in the 2023 World’s 50 Best Beaches list.
This is the latest accolade for Grace Bay Beach this year. Known for its powdery white sand and breathtakingly turquoise blue water, the famous beach was adjudged the number one Caribbean beach in February in Tripadvisor’s® Travelers’ Choice® Awards and Best of the Best for 2024, ranking number five among the Top 25 Best of the Best Beaches in the world.
In January 2024, Grace Bay was recognised as the #9 Best Beach in the Caribbean in the 10Best Reader’s Choice with Bambarra Beach in Middle Caicos ranked at #2.
Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Josephine Connolly said she is proud of the continued recognition of the leading beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
“As a destination that prioritises sustainable development and environmental preservation, the fact that Grace Bay Beach features consistently as one of the top beaches in the world stands as a testament to our commitment to stay “Beautiful by Nature”. I urge visitors to come to the Turks and Caicos Islands to experience this and many other of our beautiful beaches across the Turks and Caicos Islands,” said the Minister.
Tine Holst, Co-Founder of The World’s 50 Best Beaches, said the list is meant to inspire travellers.
She said: “Our 2024 list is a reflection of the countless days spent by our judges, Beach Ambassadors and World’s 50 Best team discovering beaches around the world. The list will help inspire travelers to leave the beaten path behind and enjoy the most stunning and relaxing beaches on earth”.
Read World’s 50 Best Beaches description of Grace Bay Beach here.
News
Family of 16 yo Tourist claims negligence in jet ski death; TCI Coroner’s Court hearing evidence
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, May 2, 2024 – The family of a 16-year-old who died in Grand Turk six years ago while on a Carnival Cruise into Grand Turk is a little closer to closure as the Turks and Caicos Islands Coroner’s Court has opened his case for an inquest.
“On Wednesday, May 16th, 2018, at 11:30 a.m. Police and Emergency Medical Officials responded to a two-jet-ski collision that left a 16-year-old male dead, near the Cruise Terminal in Grand Turk. Two people were involved in the collision. The second male did not receive any injuries. This incident is under Police investigation.”
That was the brief police report in the aftermath of Nicholas Twyman’s death.
In the comments dozens of residents and visitors claim to have been on the scene that day, as the boy was pulled ashore, some trying to assist while others looked on, horrified.
Coroner Mickia Mills called up the case on March 21, 2024 almost six years after the incident occurred. Mills is in charge of finding out what exactly happened that day in Grand Turk and whether there was any negligence or if it was simply a terrible accident. 
That verdict will be for the coroner and her potential jurors to decide. However, the family has shared their version of what happened that day.
A lawsuit filed in Florida Courts in October 2019 (Twyman v. Carnival Corp) detailed the heartbreaking hours that led up to the death of Nicholas. In it, the plaintiffs, listed as Gyjuanna TWYMAN and Michael Twyman, claim that they docked in Grand Turk and were curious about using the jet skis; both parents and the son were told by the Carnival team aboard the ship that there was not a formal shore excursion in Grand Turk involving jet skis, but that jet skis would be available for rent by the hour.
The family from Indiana claims three jet skis were rented, one for Nicholas, another for his father, Michael, and another for a different passenger, while their mother remained ashore. Wet Money Enterprise is listed as the jet ski company.
The family says they were given little instruction on using the Jet Skis, especially their son who was a new rider. The lawsuit maintains that Michael was not given any instructions other than being told where the kill switch was and not to ride too close to the cruise ship.
Sometime during his excursion, the young man crashed into the other jet ski. The family claims that neither Carnival Cruises nor representatives from the jet ski company responded. They say it was his father who spun around on his own jet ski, dived into the water for his son, and brought him to shore.
Once there, it was the young man’s mother, a registered nurse, who started emergency medical care.
When Turks and Caicos’s EMS did arrive after 15 minutes the family claims they were unsure how to use certain medical implements and had to be directed by the distressed mother.
The court documents list the cause of death for the young man as blunt force trauma and drowning, similar to what is listed in the TCI courts.
Coroner Mills, who took up her position in 2024, will oversee the proceedings which continued on Tuesday, April 23rd.
-
TCI News2 days agoBomb Threat No 6. In TEN days
-
Crime6 days agoUnlocking Perspectives: Serious Tourist Incidents unveiled in TCI
-
TCI News6 days agoRegional SDGs Update; 22% to be reached by 2030
-
Caribbean News4 days agoVISITOR ARRIVALS NOT NEGATIVELY AFFECTED BY TRAVEL ADVISORIES KINGSTON, May 1 (JIS):
-
Bahamas News4 days agoRBC appoints new Country Manager and Area Vice President for Turks & Caicos
-
Bahamas News6 days agoCIBC Caribbean announces the closure of Bay Street Branch
-
Bahamas News4 days agoBahamas economic growth
-
News6 days agoFamily of 16 yo Tourist claims negligence in jet ski death; TCI Coroner’s Court hearing evidence