2025-01-22 - Channel 5 Belize

Deborah Rogers Named Belize’s New Chief Magistrate

Belizean Senior Magistrate Deborah Rogers is set to take on the role of Chief Magistrate, a position she will officially assume on March 21, 2025. Her promotion, confirmed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, marks a milestone in her nearly decade-long legal career.

Rogers will replace outgoing Chief Magistrate Jayani Wegadapola of Sri Lanka, who served in the post for approximately one year. This appointment signifies a return to Belizean leadership at the helm of the magistracy.

Currently stationed in Orange Walk Town, Rogers brings a wealth of academic and professional experience to the position. She graduated from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 2012. She went on to earn her Legal Education Certificate from the Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica in 2014. Her academic journey continued with a Master of Laws (LLM) in Criminal Law from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, which she completed on a prestigious Chevening Scholarship.

First Dog Infected with Screwworm, Concerns Rising

Five case of New World Screwworm has been confirmed in Belize, and one of them includes a dog infection. The growing number of cases has raised major concerns for the country’s cattle industry. The first case was reported less than a month ago in the Toledo District. Since then, 4 more infections have been confirmed within the Crique Sarco village and San Pedro Columbia Village in the Toledo District.

Luis Pook from the Ministry of Agriculture told News 5 that these five cases include infections from 4 cattle and one dog. Pook stated that the minister has a team on the ground to monitor the cases. “We suspect that bats have something to do with the possibility that there are more cases popping up, because whenever you have some bats that bite the animals, they cause wounds, and the wounds attract the flies,” Pook said.

The ministry also suspects that a second or third generation of screwworm flies may be active in the two affected communities.

Prime Minister John Briceño reassured the public that protocols with Mexico are in place to manage cattle exports. “What is important is that we have worked out a protocol with the Mexicans on how to export our cattle,” he said. Briceño added that the condition does not affect the meat, as cattle can be treated and restored to health within days.

“This is not something that affects the meat. If you see the animal with the screwworm, you cure it, and five days later it is a healthy animal.”

Briceño added, “The plan is we have a coral area where we inspect the animal in Belize, and it goes over to the Mexican side, and they inspect. If they see any animal with signs of screwworm, they send it back; we cure it, and five or six days later we can send it back.”

The strict inspection system between Belize and Mexico ensures that infected animals are returned for treatment and then re-exported.

Op-Ed: Lord Ashcroft’s Media Ownership and the Integrity of Independent Journalism

The intersection of media ownership and editorial independence has long been a subject of scrutiny. Scepticism is natural when a public figure owns a media house—questions about bias, influence, and credibility often follow. Yet, Lord Ashcroft’s recent interview with Channel 5 Belize, which he owns, offers a compelling counterpoint to the assumption that ownership inherently compromises independence.

Through this interview, Lord Ashcroft engaged with critical societal issues and allowed the platform to function as a space for transparency and accountability. His remarks, far from self-serving, invited critical engagement and demonstrated that independent journalism can thrive even under the ownership of a prominent figure.

A Demonstration of Ethical Ownership

The concerns surrounding media ownership are valid. History offers no shortage of examples of ownership being leveraged to manipulate narratives or silence dissent. However, Lord Ashcroft’s approach stands apart. Rather than using his platform to insulate himself from critique, he has fostered an environment where editorial integrity is prioritised.

The interview itself is evidence of this philosophy. It was not a vanity piece; it featured probing questions and candid reflections, showcasing a commitment to meaningful discourse. The willingness to address complex topics and present unvarnished truths speaks to a media house that values journalistic principles over serving its owner’s interests.

The Importance of Transparency

One of the hallmarks of Lord Ashcroft’s leadership is his openness about his dual roles as the media house’s owner and public figure. This transparency is essential in building trust with audiences. By acknowledging his ownership upfront, the media house avoids the perception of hidden agendas, ensuring that readers and viewers can assess the content with full awareness of the context.

Moreover, the media house has clear editorial policies designed to safeguard independence. These safeguards—whether in the form of an autonomous editorial board or rigorous journalistic standards—ensure that the newsroom operates without interference, even from its owner.

Setting a Standard for Media Owners

Lord Ashcroft’s example highlights an important lesson: ownership does not have to equate to control. Responsible media ownership involves respecting the boundaries between business interests and journalistic practices. By prioritising editorial independence, media owners can uphold the integrity of their platforms while contributing to a well-informed society.

In a time when trust in the media is at an all-time low, this ownership model offers a pathway forward. It demonstrates that media houses can maintain credibility and independence while benefiting from the resources and vision of committed ownership. Lord Ashcroft’s media house is a case study of how these dynamics can coexist productively.

Rebuilding Trust in Media

Scepticism surrounding media ownership is rooted in a broader crisis of trust in journalism. Too often, audiences wonder whether hidden hands or ulterior motives shape their news. Lord Ashcroft’s approach—combining transparency, accountability, and respect for editorial independence—offers a blueprint for rebuilding that trust.

His media house has shown that it is possible to report fairly and critically, even on matters involving its owner. This commitment to independence reinforces the idea that a media platform’s credibility lies not in who owns it but in how it operates.

Final Thought

The relationship between media ownership and editorial independence will always be complex, but it is not inherently adversarial. Lord Ashcroft’s stewardship of his media house demonstrates that ethical ownership and commitment to journalistic integrity can result in a platform that informs, challenges, and inspires.

Lord Ashcroft has set an example for others in similar positions by fostering a culture of independence within his organisation. In doing so, he reminds us that trust in the media is not just about who owns the microphone but how the voice behind it chooses to use it.

Julian Rogers is a journalist and media consultant hired by Lord Ashcroft’s Waterloo Investments to help transform Great Belize Productions, the operators of Channel 5 Belize.

PM Briceño Announces Plan to Revamp Port of Belize

The Port of Belize is set to receive a major upgrade. Today, Prime Minister John Briceño confirmed that the Port of Belize will undergo a major transformation into a world-class cruise and cargo facility by the end of his government’s next term if re-elected. This ambitious plan has already received backing from the Cabinet, he says, and the work on the master plan is already underway, despite setbacks from previous attempts.

“The Cabinet has already agreed. I presented a paper to the Cabinet several months ago on what could be the different options,” Briceño said.

He said that the port will be set to handle both cruise ships and container ships. However, the new development raises questions about the future of Stake Bank.

When asked if this means Stake Bank is no longer viable, Briceño responded, “We all knew that Stake Bank was a short- to medium-term investment. The berthing facilities cannot take the big ships. These cruise ships want to berth on land. The tendering is a big issue.”

He added that Stake Bank was always meant to be a temporary fix, and the country needs to build a nearshore facility to meet long-term needs.

While the government is pushing forward with its plan, there have been a number of expressions of interest from major investors. However, Briceño said that the government will not proceed until a clear plan and strategic investors are identified.

Filly the Jaguar is Off to Milwaukee

Filly, a female jaguar from Belize, is leaving behind the lush jungles of Belize for a new life in the United States as part of a long-standing conservation effort. On Monday, the Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Centre announced that Filly will be transferred to the Milwaukee County Zoo in Wisconsin.

Dr. Celso Poot, Director of the zoo, stated, “Our program has transformed from just removing the cats from the wild and keeping them at the zoo to rehabilitating them and releasing those that can be released back into the wild with GPS collars so that we can track their movement.”

Poot added that some jaguars, like Filly, can’t be released due to injuries or behaviour that would cause them to “return to be conflict cats.” These cats are then considered for breeding programs, like the Jaguar Species Survival Plan (SSP), which is a global initiative to ensure the genetic diversity and sustainability of jaguars in captivity.

Filly will join another Belizean jaguar, Franky, at the Milwaukee Zoo. Franky, who is a grandson of a previous Belizean jaguar named Pat the Great Cat, is in need of a mate. “Franky and Filly will be put together, and hopefully we can get some litters from them,” Poot added.

Katie Kuhn, Assistant Curator of Large Mammals at the Milwaukee County Zoo, said that the plan for jaguars is focused on maintaining genetic diversity in the North American population. She said, “Genetic diversity is important because otherwise you get the effects of what inbreeding would look like,” such as health issues, diseases, and physical deformities.

According to Kuhn, Filly won’t be viewable to the public right away as the transition will be gradual even when meeting Franky. “She is going to be out…smooth and seamless…it will be at her pace.”

PM Briceño: “Quite likely it is going to be my last election”

John Briceño, the fifth Prime Minister of Belize, is preparing for what he says will likely be his final election. Today, Briceño told reporters, “If you were to ask me today, I would tell you that probably, quite likely it is going to be my last election. At least that is my plan, my hope, and even within my family.” He pointed out the importance of managing both the People’s United Party (PUP) and the government with a firm hand.

He said he intends to finish his term, barring any unforeseen changes. “I don’t want to be in a position where people say, Oh, he di lef, mek we start plan and connive and whatever. I find that unacceptable,” Briceño said. “I have to continue to manage the party and the government the way that I have done with a firm hand, and I have to show that I have full command of the party and the government and the ministers,” he added.

When asked about what will happen with the succession of the leadership to avoid the chaos that is happening within the United Democratic Party, Briceño stated he is determined not to leave a leadership vacuum in the PUP. “What has happened to the UDP is they had a very small bench after Dean Barrow, who could have taken over the UDP,” he said, adding, “I do believe the PUP is in a much better position. We have a deep bench. From Francis Fonseca to Cordel Hyde, Anthony Mahler, and Kareem Musa.”

When News 5 asked if that is his top four, he said, “I am just giving names right now.”

Former Public Officers Demand Action on $10M Trust Funds

In 1995, the Manuel Esquivel-led UDP administration faced financial challenges that compelled it to freeze annual increments for public officers, saving the government $7 million. The increment freeze, which lasted until March 1997, deferred salary increases and led to the retrenchment of approximately 700 public officers under recommendations from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

To offset the impact, the government committed to investing in shares of Belize Telecommunications Limited (BTL), allocating 480,000 shares valued at $2.4 million to public officers. Those investments, managed through the Public Sector Workers Trust (PSWT), have since grown to over $10 million. However, disputes over access to these funds continue to this day.

Hubert Enriquez, president of the Association of Beneficiaries and Retired Public Officers (ABRPO), explained the origins of the trust:

“In 1995, the government faced difficulties meeting its financial obligations and turned to public officers and unions for help. The deferred increments were used to balance the budget, and in return, shares in BTL were issued to unions on behalf of public officers. Those shares have since grown in value, and the funds are sufficient to address the withheld increments.”

Enriquez clarified that while the trust was originally established to fund projects benefiting public officers, the beneficiaries now demand direct compensation instead.

“Basically what happened in 1995 is that the government had difficulties in meeting the financial obligations, and so they turned to public officers and the unions to help them to bail them out, so to speak, and so what they did really was to defer the increments of public officers that they get on an annual basis, and that was how they were able to balance the budget, so to speak, but for that they made a commitment as well to invest the funds that would have been saved, and it did by issuing to the unions shares in BTL. Those shares are valued at a certain amount of money, you know. And in fact, they issued at the time, 480, 000 shares to public officers. And over the years, those, those, those were worth at the time 2.4 million, worth. That was invested, and over the years, it has now grown to over 10 million dollars,” he said.

The PSWT has faced ongoing administrative challenges, with questions about its legal structure and oversight. A 2014 court ruling named the Government of Belize as the trust’s settlor, granting it authority to appoint a protector. Financial Secretary Joseph Waight assumed this role in August 2024, but according to Enriquez, little progress has been made.

“The protector should be the person in charge, but he has not taken charge. That’s what we’re saying today. Because we are truly under, not a court case…The government was…One of the things that came out of the court case that was held some years ago was that the government be named as settler of the trust. With the settler now being the government, he now has the authority to be able to name a protector for the trust. The protector was at first with the unions. And so now it’s now moved back to where it had to be, which is the government, and the government has named now a protector. That protector has not acted the way we should act. But we are, we are here today because we want him to act. ” Enriquez stated.

Enriquez noted that more than 7,000 public officers were affected by the increment freeze, with 248 beneficiaries having since passed away. The association is working to ensure that their next of kin are included in the distribution of funds.

Public officers who were retrenched at the time were compensated separately and are not eligible for these funds. Enriquez emphasised the importance of finalising a comprehensive and accurate list of beneficiaries to ensure no one is excluded.

The ABRPO has signalled its readiness to escalate their efforts.

Road Works on Philip Goldson Highway Set to Begin

The Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing has announced the commencement of roadworks on the Philip Goldson Highway, specifically between Mile 8 and Mile 24.5, as part of the “Expansion and Rehabilitation of the Philip Goldson Highway” project. The construction is scheduled to begin on February 3, 2025, and is expected to take approximately 30 months to complete.

The ministry assures the public that access to properties in the construction area will be maintained throughout the project. However, road users should anticipate one-lane traffic and occasional detours for both vehicles and pedestrians in certain sections of the highway.

Motorists and pedestrians are urged to adhere to the following guidelines for their safety and the smooth progression of the works:

Follow all construction signs and instructions from the traffic management team.

Reduce speed and plan for extended travel times.

Avoid overtaking in active construction zones.

Refrain from removing, altering, vandalising, or destroying traffic and construction signs or cones.

B.P.D. Honours Cayo’s Top Officers

Earlier this week, the Belize Police Department held a special awards ceremony in Belmopan to recognise senior officers for their outstanding service in the Western Region. The event, attended by the Commissioner of Police Chester Williams and Western Regional Commander Suzette Anderson, celebrated officers who have gone above and beyond in their duties.

The police department praised the officers for their dedication, stating, “Without them, it won’t be an easy task.” They pointed out the importance of motivating the team to continue striving for excellence.

The awardees included Deputy Regional Commander Crispin Castillo, Officer Commanding Benque Viejo Formation Jesus Palma, and Officer Commanding Belmopan Formation Martha Rhys. Additionally, recognition was given for excellence in various areas, such as community policing, traffic enforcement, and successful operations. Notable awards were also presented to San Ignacio, Belmopan, and Roaring Creek police formations.

Special recognition was also given to the teams behind the Special Patrol, Mobile Interdiction, and K9 Units, as well as Alfredo Chavarria, the driver for the Regional Commander.

NWC Calls for Nominations: 2025 Women’s Award

The National Women’s Commission (NWC) is calling for nominations for its Outstanding Women’s Award, which will be presented in March 2025. This prestigious honour celebrates individuals or organisations that have made significant contributions to women’s human rights or humanitarian efforts. Eligible nominees should have a proven track record of service to their community, embodying compassion, impartiality, and a commitment to improving the lives of women and girls.

The award covers several key areas, including women’s roles in the economy, education, health, and decision-making, as well as efforts to combat violence against women and promote gender equality. Nominees should demonstrate a passion for positive change, a strong dedication to their community, and a focus on empowering women and girls.

To be considered, nominations must be submitted by March 3, 2025, and include a brief bio, supporting documents, and a high-resolution photo. The nomination process is thorough, with a review committee evaluating each submission. Awardees will be notified at least two weeks before the ceremony.

Submissions can be sent to programme.officer.nwc@humandev.gov.bz, and copy (cc) programme.officer2@humandev.gov.bz.