Could BTL Deal Threaten Press Freedom?
The BTL-Speednet deal is being sold as a telecom acquisition, but media owners say it could have serious consequences for press freedom. At a joint meeting with social partners and independent senators, media representatives warned that the buyout could create a state-controlled monopoly with too much power over the country’s communication networks. Senator Louis Wade, owner of Plus TV, says modern technology makes it possible to disrupt media operations quietly, and that independent media and the Belizean public could both lose if the deal proceeds.
Senator Louis Wade, Owner, Plus TV
“It’s not really just an amalgamation, it’s really a wholesale, buyout. And I believe that with the switching of technology, there was a time when the powers that be would have to either turn off your transmitter or revoke your license. But the way things work now with IP addresses, et cetera, they could, damage the media output without us even knowing. The the world has changed. It doesn’t make sense that our constitution give us freedom of conscience, but constantly we are fighting for freedom of expression and freedom of speech. These things go together. It’s like you could think it, but you can’t talk it. I think we, we in the media represent various perspectives, and we really should have that right to continue to have these individual perspectives. Whether we agree or disagree, the open marketplace of ideas must continue in Belize if we are to have a democracy that works, and if we are to have an open free market economy that can bring about prosperity to every Belizean. And so I think the meeting today was very successful, as meetings we’ve had since late last week, to bring everybody together to say no to BTL and SMART acquisition.”
Jules Vasquez, Owner, Tropical Vision
“Our DNA for our organizations is grounded, is rooted in a resistance to oppressive situations where there is not a plurality of opinion being shared. And I think that any state-controlled monopoly poses a danger to free media. Any fettering of the free media poses a danger to a democracy’s functioning. And once that happen, once that happens, all hell can break loose. So, that’s our position on it.”
Media Owners Stand Firm Against Speednet Deal
The fight over BTL’s proposed acquisition of Speednet is also becoming a fight over access, influence, and control. XTV owner Mose Hyde says media owners remain firmly opposed to the deal, arguing that it would give too much power to one telecom player. For news organizations that rely on digital platforms to reach the public, that raises serious concerns about vulnerability and independence. The meeting reaffirmed a coalition that has been sounding the alarm since last year.
Mose Hyde, Owner, XTV
“The independent senators, they invite we a who call this meeting here, the avoidance of doubt. They may need for know whether independent media still have their position or they change their mind. I noh really certain why that come up, but I think after the meeting it’s clear that our position remain as it has been for a time. In fact, a lot of the dissent on this acquisition started mid last year. And so it’s kinda just setting out together this coalition of dissent and opposition to the acquisition in light of what has taken place. And so we had a conversation around that. I think we have the lived experience of seeing where absolute power and control of a monopoly. Cuz if you say monopoly, that not a complete facts, you know. Da wa monopoly in the hands of absolute power, where part the government have the control. And we experience certain punitive measures because of positions we have taken. You’re vulnerable, especially now, more so than ever. The importance of the technology to the kind of work what we do and how we reach we audiences and how content is distributed. And it’s not just the, the only aspect of it, it’s the leading aspect of it. it is unacceptable.”
Reporter
“What are the next steps?”
Mose Hyde
“Well, we noh de yah fi say everything weh we talk going in the meeting, you know. We just say the meeting was held, it was a productive meeting. I believe there is no doubt.”
The media owners also urged the Public Utilities Commission to intervene and prevent what they describe as a dangerous concentration of power in the telecommunications sector.
Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.
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