Deputy Governor David Archer Condemns False Allegations in Social Media Video

Deputy Governor David Archer in a statement released on Friday, March 15, addressed what he termed as “defamatory” and “slanderous” allegations made against him in a video circulated on social media platforms, particularly Facebook, by Mika Barry.

Archer, visibly perturbed by the false portrayal of himself in the video as “Confirmed Government Official 1,” emphasised the seriousness of the accusations, stating, “Let me categorically and empathetically refute, denounce and factually condemn and deny this defamatory, slanderous, libelous, and vicious attack on my good name and reputation.”

The Deputy Governor, who has dedicated five years to serving his office with honesty and integrity, stressed the damaging impact such false statements could have not only on his personal reputation but also on the reputation of the Government of the Virgin Islands. “The false statement also has the ability to bring the Government of the Virgin Islands in local, regional and global disrepute,” he asserted.

Highlighting legal repercussions, Archer referenced the Virgin Islands Computer Misuse and CyberCrime (Amendment) Act, 2019, outlining penalties for electronic defamation. “A person commits an offense if he or she defames another person using a computer,” he stated, citing Section 14B (1) of the Act, which carries fines up to one hundred thousand dollars or imprisonment for up to three years.

While expressing his commitment to upholding his name, profession, and reputation, Archer also displayed a measure of leniency towards the video’s creators, stating, “I am pausing briefly before pursuing actions against the noted defamatory video by Mika Barry to allow the author and producer to correct the inaccuracy, remove the video and issue me an apology.”

However, he cautioned that failure to comply within the specified timeframe would result in legal action for slander and defamation through appropriate legal channels.

In conclusion, Deputy Governor Archer urged the public to educate themselves about the Virgin Islands Computer Misuse and CyberCrime (Amendment) Act, 2019, signaling the importance of understanding laws in the digital age.