Defamation of Saldivar’s character? Minister sues Plus TV
Just about every media organization will be sued, no matter how powerful or small, or threatened with a lawsuit either for libel, defamation or so forth. So it’s a first for the Belmopan based, Plus Television’s Louis Wade and Patrick Andrews hosts of the Rise and Shine morning show, who have been critical of government on a range of issues. On Friday, they were served with a notice of a lawsuit by Minister John Saldivar seeking damages for defamation of character. The lawsuit is based on a comment which was made by Andrews last December in respect of a purported fifty thousand dollar cash subsidy the government provided to area representatives before the general elections. Wade is expected to make an official comment on the matter on Wednesday but today Andrews writing in his face book explained his comments that are landing them in court.
Our Constitution guarantees freedom of speech to us, and nowhere is it more important than in criticizing public officials. Toss out this lawsuit, which is simply aimed at choking off open discussion in the media!
I personally know Louis Wade to be an honest, and truthful man. He is a diehard Belizean Patriot and has my full support.
The pillars of our democracy is the elected government, the independent judiciary and the free press. They form the foundation of our protection against Corruption and Cronyism.
As quoted in the Wall Street Journal of April 3, 2013, “Corruption suppresses growth because citizens in time recognize that honest work produces a lower return than spending one’s energies gaming the system….In time, corruption accelerates political instability (and) erodes democratic order if it exists”.
Since independence, we have seen continuous erosion of these pillars. Plus TV should open a defense account to assist with this legal challenge. The support will be tremendous.
I agree with freedom of speech but at the same time Louise Wade and Mrs. Andrews are always talking a lot a bull crap and hiding behind the cover of christainity.
They want to force their will on the Belmopan people and that is wrong in my eyes!
If Plus TV claims to be christian..why do they have a show that includes politics. Stick to your Christian format and done….or could it be that you were not getting the rating only with christian based programs?? And yes…we should always push for freedom of speech after all 99% of politicians are corrupt including this one…
This pm and gov. Is the most corrupt in the history of this great nation period end of story.
What Character? “Birds of a feather flock together”. Sometimes we have to go out of our comfort zone, whether it may be Christianity or not to get the message across. Many of us outside Christianity does not have the Cojones to speak out because of fear of retribution, forget, or even don’t know that we have the right to free speach. I can understand because our democarcy has been raped with corruption but, “if God be for you, who can be against you”. (Rom. 8:32). There are more important issues to take care of as an elected member than to whine like old time sissy. Real talk.
First, it’s not defamation if it’s true.
Second, WE NEED A LAW WHERE WE CAN SUE POLITICIANS WHEN THEY LIE! God knows ministers like Saldivar would have to hide under a rock if we had such a law.
Third, I WANT politicians to be Christians and live their faith in public and private life. We would be a lot better off if we had saints instead of sinners in charge.
People watch your comments…. you will be charge too,after all he has 2 mansions in. Belmopan plus the has bandits team to sponsor which some the players is making more than some of his police officers…sorry
People watch your comments…. you will be charge too,after all he has 2 mansions in. Belmopan plus the has bandits team to sponsor which some the players is making more than some of his police officers…sorry
second the motion
WE NEED A LAW WHERE WE CAN SUE POLITICIANS WHEN THEY LIE!
LA VERDAD NO PECA PERO INCOMODA !!! THE TRUTH IS NOT A SIN, BUT IT (TRUTH) HURTS !!!!
NOW THERE WILL SE AN IMMEDIATE (BEFORE THE CASE COMES UP) TWISTING AND AMENDS OF SO CALLED LAWS IN BELMOPAN , ALL IN AN EFFORT TO SAVE THE MINISTER`S SKIN, BUT WE ALL KNOW HE IS WRONG AND GUILTY !!!
I AGREE THAT WE NEED TO BRING THE ATTENTIONS TO POLITICIANS WHEN THINGS NOT GOING RIGHT, BUT I MUST SAY THAT FROM WAY BACK I ALWAYS WONDER ABOUT PLUS TV BEING SO DEEPLY INVOLVE WITH POLITICS, THE BIBLE SAY YOU CANNOT SERVE TWO MASTERS AT THE SAME TIME, I DIDN’T SAY THAT, JESUS CHRIST SAID THAT,
SO I BELIVES PLUS TV SHOULD STICK TO CHRISTAINITY OR ELSE THEY WILL LOSE THE RESPECT OF THE COMMUNITY. BECAUSE IF THEY CONTINUE THAT WAY HOW CAN I GO AND ASK THEM FOR PRAYERS.
MR PLUS T.V, WADE AND ANDREWS STICK TO BIBLE, REMEMBER THAT POLITICS CRUCIFIED JESUS CHRIST YOUR SAVIOUR.