With elections in this tiny Caribbean island nation scheduled to be called
in March 1999, tensions have been rising between the press and Prime Minister
Lester B. Bird. Arsonists burned the offices of The Outlet on November
19 after the newspaper published a story on a large quantity of arms purchased
by the government. Publisher L. Tim Hector, who is also deputy leader of
the opposition United Progressive Party, called the fire "an act of state
terrorism."
While it is clear that the fire was deliberately set -- diesel fuel was poured
throughout the building -- some journalists said it was political dispute
rather than an attack on press freedom. The day after the fire, the Ministry
of Information building was torched in what some describe as political
retribution by United Progressive Party supporters. Prime Minister Bird pledged
to seek the assistance of Scotland Yard in investigating both blazes.
Journalists agree, however, that the powerful Bird family, which controls
the ruling Antigua Labor Party, has long used its political influence to
quash negative coverage. Of the three local radio stations, one is government
-- run and the other two are controlled by members of the Bird family. The
sole television station is also state-run, while a brother of the prime minister
owns the country's only cable company. In September 1996, the government
shut down a radio station started by Winston Derrick and Samuel Derrick,
editor and publisher, respectively, of the Daily Observer newspaper,
alleging it was operating without a license. The appeal was expected to be
heard in 1998, but has been postponed until February 1999.
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