UBP’s Kim Swan Calls For Equal Time On CITV
With the island now in election mode the United Bermuda Party is renewing their call for equal time for both Opposition Parties on CITV, UBP Leader Kim Swan said.
Mr Swan said, “Following the appointment of a new Chairman (Mr. Fanon Khaldun) and Deputy Chairman (Hon. Phillip Perinchief), see official Gazette on Wednesday April 11th, 2012), the United Bermuda Party is renewing our call for equal time for both Opposition Parties on CITV.
“Currently, the Premier is featured in an exclusive interview hosted by a Civil Servant on CITV and we feel equal time is in order,” said Mr Swan.
“We (UBP) have been pleased with the culturally diverse and educationally enriching content of the programming offered by CITV. This call for equal time is in no way an affront on the good work being done by the staff of CITV.
“However, the people are now in election mode in Bermuda and the Premier is the only person who constitutionally knows the date of the next election.
“We deem there to be a violation of the broadcast regulations for the Premier and Government Ministers to be able to exclusively utilise CITV (especially during this period) to convey their message to the people, whilst the opposition parties do not have the same opportunity.
“It is in the spirit of fairness that we have written to the new Chairman and Deputy to consider this important matter. When one recognizes that the date of the General Election could be announced at anytime before year end, we consider this matter urgent and we anxiously and respectfully await a response from the new Board,” concluded Mr Swan.
CITV signed on the air on 1 October 2007 and became Bermuda’s first and only public television station.
Kim Swan is on the money – the Act that created CITV gives opposition parties the right of reply to any CITv coverage on Government policy up to 50 percent of the original show’s time (and shown/repeated on a similar cycle). The Act also states that Government must pay for the prep of those opposition shows.
He shouldn’t have to beg for it. It is the law.
What act are you talking about. I think you are confused.
The wife of UBP leader Kim Swan says her husband has been “cruelly thrown into the snake pit” by his former colleagues.
Cindy Swan has hit out at the “ungrateful behaviour” of the seven MPs responsible for a mass walkout of the 47-year-old United Bermuda Party.
The politicians have gone on to join new political party One Bermuda Alliance, leaving Mr Swan in what his wife calls “a worthless position” he doesn’t deserve.
Mrs Swan has defended the actions of her husband who spearheaded a court injunction to try and prevent the dissolution of the UBP. Mr Swan stood down as Opposition Leader after losing the support of his MPs. The injunction has since been dropped.
Mrs Swan said she wanted to “put the record straight” in response to negative comments written about her husband. “It’s very distressing that people can be so hurtful and negative. He doesn’t deserve this.
“It’s upsetting and unfair that people are now pointing the finger.
It’s mad dog the PLP pet dog cutting and pasting is repetoire of posts again. What a useless person or dog you are.
I still have yet to see wha ta wife defending her husband has anythign to do with anything.
Um, Government TV is for government. It’s not for political purposes.
Kim needs to figure out he leads a party of 2 and no-one cares what he thinks.
The though that he keeps his affiliation with that caucasion elitist brand the UBP is saddening. Pack it up Kim.
You are correct and as Kim is still the official opposition and therefore he is part of the Government and thus should get equal time. I think in fairness the OBA as the other political opposition with sitting MPs should also get time. But come on folks when this was hatched everyone knew Government was gonna use it as a propaganda machine just like 107.5.
LOL do the PLP play by the rules or are they above the rules history would say above have they grown past that………….
The OBA were sworn in as the official opposition some time ago.
ok details, details the opposition is still part of the government correct?
LOL
Your political opinions should relaly be kept aside… how you view the UBP is irrelevant.
Govt TV is for govt purposes, NOT for plp purposes. The taxpayer is funding this channel, and as such, ALL MP’s, who are actually teh govt, should be allowed to speak as much as any other.
If there are UBP members who make up the govt, then they should get airtime. If there are OBA members, then they should get airtime. If there are PLP members they should too. But not a grossly large amount given to any one “side”.
IF the PLP paid for it, then the PLP can have sole use of it. but that is not the case.
When have you seen a PLP MP on CTIV?
Government Minsters yes, PLP MPs no. Its a government TV station, it is NOT for political purposes.
Rolf wasbon there quit alot, he was not a minister
Voice of Reason, there are numerous “interviews” and “presentations” used to defend and “explain” government policies. That constitutes a party political broadcast. In a democracy, TV stations should not be allowing broadcasts by one political party to the exclusion of the others.
@ no strategy,
You are correct that “CITV is for government and no politics” and that is exactly why we have written to the Broadcast Commission because – in our respectful opinion – these recent Broadcast can be deemed political.
If it is so, then either both Opposition Parties get equal time or the practice of political broadcasting would have to discontinue.
Notwithstanding, it is our duty to ensure that a level playing field exist in Bermuda.
As for your comments about the UBP you are misrepresenting much good that was done, as the United Bermuda Party and our former members did a great deal of good for Bermuda. You conveniently forget that prominent UBp members were among those who who helped to break down the racial barriers in Bermuda and made Bermuda a better place than they found it !!! In addition, the late Dr. Stanley Ratteray, the late Sir John Plowman, the late Dr. John Stubbs, the late Lancelot Swan, the late McNeil Warner, the late Gloria McPhee, the late Haskins Davis, the late Sir John Sharpe, Quinton Edness, CV Jim Woolridge, Sir John Swan, Ann Cartwright Decouto, Sir David Gibbons, Dr. David Saul, Dame Pamela Gordon and many others (including Plp members and others) helped to make Bermuda the envy of the world.
Respectfully.
Kim Swan
St. George’s West #2
NO TIME ON TV…..after all your UBP were against this TV station in the first place. WHy would you want time now. You were pushing to have government close the station down, now your crying for time….what the devil is wrong with you and the rest of the UBP/OBA fans…
“Government TV is for government. It’s not for political purposes.”
Not correct. According to the law, any show that deals with government policy (among other things) merits an opposition right of reply.
What law are you referring to. I checked bermudalaws.bm and couldn’t find any such law.
It’s a law can’t rember the name of it but it pertains to broadcasting and was what Mr. Dill at Hate 107.5 was sited for in the 2007 election. Not that anything happened in that situation as the board is PLP dominated..
LOL
We Blacks & some whites in St. George are behind Kim Swan. OBA is the afficiated white elitist brand party with Gibbons, Dunkley et al…
Mr. Swan is right on target! keep them on their toes Kim and stay in what you believe because PLP/OBA all jokers.
Kim, please just join the OBA….I admire your stand on principal but you also have to be practical at times…..no different than a round of golf. Maybe its better to leave the Big Bertha driver in the bag this time and use the 3 iron instead?
Bigger question: how many people actually watch CITV compared to its budget? Cablevision can provide that data. It should be public information.
Kim you need to pack it up. You are not putting Bermuda First in your doings you are just hindering the process. I have met with the young lady at OBA and she has a lot of support backing her in St. Georges. I have also listened to her ideas and personal platform and I am impressed. Kim you could have joined the OBA and backed up, you didnt and people aren’t happy because you are putting your pride before Bermuda.
No body put Bermuda 1st more that Kim Swan. I heard all that nonsence. Think someone who has never lead anything can run Kim swan has my vote today and every day. The young lady will never get our vote
What has Kim Swan managed to run in St. Georges? He is a nice man, yes but seriously St. Georges is collapsing! GET REAL a vote for Kim Swan is not a vote straight down the drain, it will not help you and your country!
@ May I Add,
It is sad that you choose to personally attack me with erroneous information…… Here are some facts to address your misrepresentation of me, my many years of civil and public service …… All in a deliberate effort to discredit my candidacy!!!
For the record, St. George’s Golf Course was first opened and managed by [Kim Swan ] in 1985 for 8 years before running my own company in 1992 for another 9 years.
Under the direction of [Kim Swan ] St. George’s Golf Course was well managed, received clean audits with timely annual reports and enhanced our countries Tourism product. In addition, I (Kim Swan) am proud to have trained and introduced numerous Bermudians into the golf industry who went on to become Managers, Golf Professionals, Golf Directors and Golf Course Superintendents locally and internationally.
In addition as a promoter [Kim Swan] succesfully promoted golf events locally and internationally and have been responsible for encouraging thousands of visitors to our shores who have spent millions of dollars to the the benefit of our beloved island.
In 2008, St. George’s Golf Club was prematurely closed by the PlP Government and yet on behalf of the people [Kim Swan] continues to fight for it to be reopened to help rejuvenate the Town of St. George economically.
Respectfully,
Kim Swan MP
St. George’s West #2
Mr. Swan surely you realise that a vote for you unless you win is just spliting the opposition vote handing the win to the PLP right? I think either you or the OBA should not contest against each other it makes no sence and pushes us one step closer to a one party rule ie a dictatorship is that what you want? I’m not tring to discredit you at all I think you are a good man and politician. I’m wondering if you will join with the PLP or the OBA as both parties have done you so wrong in the past.
LOL serious question politics is like chess are you sure that’s gonna be your move.
THE UBP/OBA have done so many MPs wrong, and that is the problem. Kim will take what actions he needs too, after all OBA has not treated him too kindly at all……If OBA are so sure they will win, what is your concerns about?
Don’t comproimi$e you beliefs with those people, stick to the wicket and the runs will come!
Political affiliation shouldnt even be involved in this argument.
What Kim says is true, all party’s make up the govt, so all parties should get time on the taxpayer paid show.
Could this be the same opposition that didn’t support CITV in the first place ? Nowhere else in the world does the Opposition get equal time on a Government channel. What a dreamer.
Umm, back this up with facts. Of course they do.
Democracies don’t have taxpayer-funded propaganda channels. That was the initial fear about CITV, and CITV undeniably spends broadcast time defending and promoting PLP policies, thinly disguised as “news” or “interviews”.
This is a taxpayer-funded channel. It should not be used for the benefit of one particular political interest.
In democracies all over the world, equal time is given for political broadcasts on TV.
Only in dictatorship led countries do you not get a fair and balance broadcasts. I guess you recognize the PLP way of doing things as a dictatorship. The UBP and the OBA should be represented on any bradcasts to do with governments work.
Nowadays, CITV is way too costly to keep on the air. It has few viewers. We need to cut costs! IMO It should be closed down and the equipment sold to VSB or ZBM. It serves no useful purpose other than for disseminating propaganda for the PLP Gov’t like Hate 107. And believe me, it won’t be missed….
Come on…who watches CITV? I mean really, what a waste of air time. It is nothing more than a taxpayer funded propaganda machine for the PLP.
There are one or two interesting shows, the rest is pure propaganda.
Dang i was hoping that it read Kim Swan calls it quits..lol a party of one is not a party..its a dictatorship…Kim must not be able to operate as a team player.
Holding on to the UBP is like playing football against north village with 1 goal keeper and one striker and no bench lol.
@ Can’t Believe It,
Indeed [Kim Swan] was and continue to be a team player….. [Kim Swan] played by the rules and expected at the very least that former UBp colleagues would have done the same. Unfortunately, the former UBp Executive and some key MP/Senators (now OBA) did not deem it necessary to respect the UBp Constitution and allow members to convene a disputes tribunal as petitioned.You clearly have this backwards …… All in an attempt to discredit me ……. !!!!!
well ok Mr Swan then why don’t you cut your losses and join the PLP, what is the sense holding onto a dead body? We know that the OBA members were disloyal UBP members, and we don’t see you as being shunned nor do we see any attempts to discredit you working.
However once you bury the UBP and give it its funeral if you join the OBA then you would look like a fool, if you join the PLP it will strengthen your political hold and we as Bermudians will support u more.
but we cant support a man who keeps carrying a dead wife in hopes the she comes back alive.
Thats the biggest lie. Kim Swan has put Bermuda 1st today, yesterday and he will tomorrow! A man of good morals is Mr. Swan. Mr. Swan do not listen to the song bird who posts on FB one love one Bermuda because he places himself 1st all day. Its all about them winning and gaining power. We don’t trust any of those UBP elected officials now traitors to OBA
There’s principles, and there’s winning elections. Don’t confuse the two.
Everyone…………
Next time you see KS on the road, PLEASE stop and let him out!
My point is clear:
If CITV is used by politicians to convey a political message than both Opposition are entitled to equal time.
However, I note with great interest the personal attacks and spin being used to discredit me but thankfully my record of working on behalf of ALL people is worth standing on.
For the record, St. George’s Golf Course was first opened and managed by me (Kim Swan) in 1985 for 8 years before running my own company in 1992 for another 9 years.
Ironically, the premature closing of the same St. George’s Golf Course by the PLP Gov’t in 2008 has helped to economically cripple the Town of St. George.
Unlike some I actually respect the contribution made to Bermuda by the United Bermuda Party. The late Dr. Stanley Ratteray, the late Dr. John Stubbs, the late Lancelot Swan, the late McNeil Warner and many others all gave of themselves to ensure Bermuda made progress and it did.
To the discerning reader consider this …. of the 36 seats an overwhelming majority already foregone conclusions as safe seats ………. is that healthy for Bermuda ? Unlike those persons who know they will win in safe seats the few of us in marginal constituencies are held to a higher level of accountability …
Kim Swan MP
St. George’s West #2
lets see you join PLP and make a difference Swan, and the media for donkey years have always been bias towards the PLP and always tried to show the UBP in a Godly image.Now they do the same with the OBA, out of all the nonsense going on how come there has never been any investigations into the UBP and OBA daily operations???
What will you do to help rebuild St. Georges?! Do You have any plans or ideas other than this huge hotel we all know we cannot afford?!
Are you really going to let the town collapse because of your beliefs?
If you would have instantly became leader of the OBA i bet you would have joined. Stop talking out your butt Bermuda NEEDS CHANGE! St. Georges Needs to be revitalized
Alabama down in St. George could be better leader than your colt that can’t speak a lick. Listen to the house of assembly last session on the budget. Gibbons had to save Craig from drowning himself.
Swan, give it up and play golf.
Mr. Swan please don’t give up. Bermuda Needs good loyal decent respected politicians like yourself! Bermuda needs both you and Charlie Swan. You both show us you both will stand for truth and not pretend to use voters just to gain power. You both are what Bermuda needs Now