Honourable Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley continues to show an outright disregard for democracy in the Virgin Islands.
In May of 2022, due to the arrest of former Premier Andrew Fahie in Florida on April 28th, Dr. Natalio became Premier and formed the Unity Government. Since becoming the Premier, Dr. Wheatley has attempted on many occasions to control and silence the press. He has attempted to tell the press what type of questions they are allowed to ask, on what subjects, limiting the press to two questions. At one point, he instructed the press to send questions prior to press conferences for his review. All media houses responded with a loud ‘No’, with the media also cautioning GIS that they were crossing a line.
On January 6, 2023, during a press conference called by the Premier, Guavaberry Media fielded questions to Dr. Wheatley regarding abuse of office. The Premier found one of the said questions to be ‘inappropriate,’ in his opinion’ and has since attempted to discredit and sanction the media house. He has sent legal letters to the owner of Guavaberry Media in her personal capacity from him in his personal capacity. A move attempting to harass and intimidate her person. However, their lawyer was swift and firm in with a response.
On February 20th, the BVI media walked out of a press conference the Premier called when he attempted to have Guavaberry Media removed from the press conference. The media stood in solidarity with their colleague. To date, there has been no apology to the press over the incident. However, the Premier suggested more ways in which the press should be controlled.
Yesterday, March 14th, the Premier continued his vicious attack on the media house and free press in the Virgin Islands while appearing as a guest on the daily morning Braff Show. One caller questioned the Premier’s behaviour towards the press, to which the Premier responded, "I don’t have a problem with the press; just one pretending to be." The listening public found the remark to be in very poor taste from someone who is the Leader of the Territory, with some referring to his behaviour as ‘Trump-like'.
Another caller questioned his stance on victimisation after having sat in the former Premier Andrew Fahie’s Cabinet and watched as his government victimised citizen after citizen, and he said and did nothing. The Premier’s response was that he stands against victimisation. Again, he was called out by the public for contradictory responses as the listening audience considered his behaviour towards Guavaberry Media House to be that of victimisation, with some considering the now Premier to be just like, if not worst than disgraced former Premier Andrew Fahie.
Dr. Natalio Wheatley, who has only had a short 10-month stint as Premier, is leaving a clear legacy of disregard for a free and transparent press and an undermining of democracy in the Territory.
“The only security for all is in a free press.”