Observer Radio faces possible boycott by Antigua Cabinet

Browne, Serpent

The Gaston Browne administration in St John’s Antigua could boycott the Observer Radio, one of the leading stations on the island.

According to reports, it is expected that the matter will be voted on when that country’s weekly Cabinet meeting gets underway on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne, along with his Cabinet, made the announcement on Sunday, after the radio station removed the Government’s Chief of Staff from its weekly programming schedule.

Lion Max Hurst would usually appear every Monday morning on the radio station’s Observer A.M program but Managing Director of Observer, Algernon “Serpent” Watts, said on Saturday that Hurst was no longer allowed to use the radio station prime time programming to “spread lies”.

And, in announcing the direct backlash, the prime minister said the removal of Hurst is a removal of all his Cabinet members.

“Serpent has declared war against the ABLP government and has gone as far as seeking to censor our spokesperson.  If that’s how the Observer intends to undermine free speech and democracy, I am sure that they will certainly reap the fruits of the seeds of the whirlwind they have sown. The ABLP administration will not have any further engagement with NewsCo, Observer until such time that the lunatistic policy rant of Serpent (Satan) is reversed,” Browne said.

The Chairman of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party, EP Chet Greene also said on Sunday that he too has taken a personal decision not to appear on Observer platform or speak to any reporter until the company rescinds the decision to ban Max Hurst.

Watts, who is the United Progressive Party’s candidate for St. George constituency said on Monday that Hurst was not banned from calling the radio station, but was simply removed from prime-time programs on the airwaves.

“He is free to call in like everyone else. He used a prime-time spot to come and spread his manure. So, I said enough of that. It wasn’t a one-man decision either…” Watts said.

His response to the threat of a total boycott was, “It will be to their detriment and not to ours. I don’t care.”

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12 Comments

  1. KalingoJustice
    March 11, 2022

    Ban scam wrath-a-hell and hyena can-knee with their other side which is definitely the opposite of truth from Q!!!

  2. Antigua citizen
    March 9, 2022

    I am a constant listener to observer Radio and to be honest,it was about time Observer get Rid of max (liar)Hurst on the airwaves. These are the same people Along with ABLP who did all they could to prevent Observer Radio from coming on stream.They have the nerve now to want to use Observer with all their lies and propaganda against UPP. Can’t wait to see the back of this wicked corrupt ABLP.Tell them to go use Chet Green Radio and Dictator Gaston Brown Radio station .UPP Right Track,Right Direction.

  3. Lin clown
    March 8, 2022

    The majority of Dominicans has never voted UWP.Since they were formed in 1988 the have never received at least 44% of the votes.In 2019 they claimed the election was stolen,but in 2014 they got 17,587 votes,In 2019 their vote count was reduced to 16,424,a lost of 1,163 votes.They are yet to tell Dominicans the reason for the lost.They said diasporans voted in the DLP,and that over8,000 came.Records show DLP received 23,365 in 2014 and 23,587 in 2019.DLP won the 2019 election by more than 7,000 votes,yet this government is allowing a handful of terrorists to terrorise the PEOPLE.The 2019 election observers said the election was free and fair and reflected the will of the Dominican People yet this government allow a minority to trample on the rights of the majority,disrespecting the police and,destroying public and private property.It is those people who say Dominica is not a Democracy.Rattlesnake pastors are allow to preach hatred and lies in the church,greed and jealousy is king.

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 2 Thumb down 8
  4. Lin clown
    March 8, 2022

    Sort,Dominica is the only country where supporters of an opposition can openly threaten to kidnap the children of the head of government.It is the only country an opposition person can say what,when and how they want Despite the fact that DLP supporters has asked the government to clampdown on those traitors.Very recently a $60,000 …… was dismissed from a certain radio station ……..

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 1 Thumb down 10
  5. Original
    March 8, 2022

    The sensitization of this issue as political should have been and could have been totally avoid for the benefit of the citizenry. Is It what was being said on the airwaves true or not and this is what should matter. Therefore if Hurst was telling lies it is the responsibility of the radio station management to take the ethical judgment and prevent such acts. Let us know whether or not what Hurst was saying is true or false which would give justification but this constant politicizing of actions is bad for everyone. Let Ethics be our guide.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  6. Ibo France
    March 8, 2022

    You know, DNO was quick to report on this development in Antigua. Nothing is wrong with that. But in Dominica, the Opposition is completely locked out of DBS which belongs to the STATE. The most disappointing thing is there has not even being a murmur on this issue from DNO.

    When the regular media stays tight lip, democracy founders and eventually crumbles to dust. This is precisely happening in Dominica today. The once bright light of democracy is extremely dim today.

    DNO will never call out the DLP led government for their appetite for wrongdoings. Why? This is my take. A very large portion of DNO’s revenue comes from statutory bodies and government corporations. DNO prefers to hold on to this at any cost even to the detriment of their reputation. So despite the numerous atrocities committed by the government against the people, DNO remains stoically indifferent. Money trumps morality for them.

    ADMIN: This recent development is news. We did report on the issue of access to the state owned media, for example: https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/general/update-uwp-dbs-meeting-described-as-cordial-and-healthy/

    Thankfully your premise and conclusion is wrong. Our editorial policy is not held ransom in anyway by any statutory body, organization of the public service or the government itself – and we endeavour to ensure it stays that way.

    We openly admit we are human, we make unintentional mistakes, but we aim to be objective in our reporting.

    This means we do not pander to you or anyone else’s views or biases. You seem to confuse this effort at objectivity ,a lack of bias against the government, as proof of bias for them.

    While we encourage constructive feedback, the constant criticism of a political nature from both opposition and government supporters on our site (sometimes in the same article) is a better indication to us that we are on the right path than your criticisms here.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2
    • Man bite dogs
      March 10, 2022

      That two heads harbour shark Ibo,has never done anything good at any point in his life, leaving on free food tickets just the same as many UWP supporters in America brainwashed and fools by uncle Sam systems all bulls**t and crap Putin, now exposing the weakness of America
      So-called world powers laughable nonsense!!!

  7. zandoli
    March 8, 2022

    These guys are behaving just like the Chinese Communist Party. Tow the party line or else face retribution.

  8. Ibo France
    March 7, 2022

    Don’t retreat, don’t surrender Observer Management, they have more to lose than you. In fact, you gain nothing but pain, misery and abuse from them.

    The early morning news show on Observer Radio Station any casual listener would think that it is ABLB owned. One member of the news staff acts as though he is deeply embedded in Cabinet. I know of many women who carry their maiden and marital names, this is the only man who has both (Laugh).

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2
  9. Ibo France
    March 7, 2022

    This is the first positive thing that Gaston Browne and his Cabinet of dimwits have done for 2022. They have relieved the people of Antigua & Barbuda of a great ordeal. By not having to listen to the avalanche of lies on Observer Radio , some say that the people have gotten a monkey off their backs. I say that they have gotten a zoo off their backs.

    Observer Radio is by light years the most popular radio in Antigua & Barbuda. Of the two entities (Observer and ABLP), ABLP is the party that has the more to lose. Great riddance! The listeners don’t have to be subjected to falsehoods, tall tales, absurdity and asininity. Long live Observer Radio!

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2
  10. March 7, 2022

    I am a frequent listener of Observer AM hosted by Darren Ward (great talk show host) and the likes of Dave Lester Payne and the night show hosted by Mr. knight on Observer radio in Antigua. It is a pleasure to listen to talk radio and how the hosts of these programs can voice their opinions and sentiments without fear or ill will and also to allow their callers to do the same without what is called a disclaimer at the end of every shared opinion, unlike of what we hear of a certain radio station in Dominica. Gaston Brown in comparison with Dominica’s own King of Lies is fearful of observer radio and will do and say anything at this time of impending election in Antigua to silence observer radio. I respect and hail the decision taken by Observer radio and hope that a decision like this will be taken to scrap the Other Side show from the airwaves of Dominica. But in Dominica, Fear is the daily word.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1

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