Channel 7’s owner uses Telemedia position to salivate at Channel 5

It is almost two years since the Government brazenly nationalized Telemedia in August of 2009.  While Telemedia’s former shareholders are anticipating a favorable Court of Appeal decision any time now, that the nationalization was unconstitutional, the Government, through Telemedia, has launched another legal attack. This time Channel Five is in the eye of the storm. The B.T.L. claim was filed late last week in Court against eleven different defendants including the company that owns this station, Great Belize Productions. The claim is against the decision of the former directors of Telemedia that prevented Channel Five from being nationalized by the Government when it took over B.T.L.

The Telemedia claim actually seeks a declaration from the Court that the former directors were motivated by malice towards the Government and that their purpose was to deny the G.O.B. the acquisition of an interest in Great Belize Productions. But had Telemedia’s former directors not done so, both Channel Five and Telemedia, not to mention Channel Seven would be under the control of one man: Net Vasquez. Four months after imposing an unpopular news blackout on this station, which had to be reversed, the G.O.B. is at it again with a collateral attack. The hearing has been set for May.

We will have more on this in the future, but for now we will remain true to our mission as Belize’s leading independent TV station, with the most extensive and professional local programming.