The Big Issues

The Big Issues

By The Big Issues Production TeamNewsNews Commentary
Download on the App Store

The Big Issues episodes

  • S2.E3: What Did the Doctor Say? Covid & the End of 2021

    The defining event of 2021 and the year before was the Covid-19 pandemic and its spin-off effects. Nothing else impacted daily life more significantly, and the doctors, health workers, and specialists who responded to the sick and dying during the pandemic bring us a very frank and a very necessary perspective. The Big Issues presents part 3 of Observer Radio's 2021 Year in Review (YIR). In this episode, two doctors in our public health system discuss the fight against Covid-19 and the lessons we ought to have learned in 2021.

    The host is Kieron Murdoch. The guests are:

    1. Dr. Rhonda Sealy-Thomas, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO).
    2. Dr. Shivon Belle-Jarvis, pediatrician, and Head of the Pediatric Unit at the Lester Bird Medical Centre.

      3. This programme first aired on NewsCo Observer Radio 91.1 FM on January 2nd, 2022. Get the latest news from Antigua and Barbuda at the Antigua Observer online.

      29 min
    3. S2.E2: News Junkies Reflect on the Highs and Lows of 2021

      Reporting the news and working behind a camera or the mic gives a person a unique perspective on the issues that make the headlines year round. The Big Issues presents part 2 of Observer Radio's 2021 Year in Review (YIR). In this episode, current and former journalists and producers as well as other special guests discuss the events that shaped 2021. 

      The host is Kieron Murdoch. The guests are:

      1. Mrs. Mickael Brann-Challenger, a 27-year media veteran who is a former editor of the Daily Observer and Observer newsroom manager, a communications consultant, and an avowed news junkie.
      2. Ms. Amar Spencer, a lecturer at the Antigua State College who worked as a producer for several years.
      3. Ms. Zoe Carlton, a journalist and an on air host at ZDK Liberty Radio.
      4. Mr. N’Kenge “Beef” Drew, user experience designer.


        5. This programme first aired on NewsCo Observer Radio 91.1 FM on January 2nd, 2022. Get the latest news from Antigua and Barbuda at the Antigua Observer online.

        39 min
      5. S2.E1: Observer Radio's 2021 Year In Review

        The pandemic, the shutdowns, the loved ones lost due to COVID, the business closures, the vaccination sagas, online learning, the scandals - these are just some of the things that made 2021 a year to remember, or perhaps one to forget. The Big Issues presents part 1 of Observer Radio's 2021 Year in Review (YIR). This episode is a narrated recap of the major events of the year 2021. The narrator is Kieron Murdoch, who currently produces and hosts The Big Issues. The episode is introduced by Observer Radio's Kadeem Joseph. This programme first aired on NewsCo Observer Radio 91.1 FM on January 2nd, 2022. Get the latest news from Antigua and Barbuda at the Antigua Observer online.

        1 hr 1 min
      6. Tax Burdens, Tax Dodging, & Tax Justice in the A&B and the Caribbean

        Around the world, the attention of the media, lawmakers, and ordinary citizens has been drawn to the many ways which some of us find to pay less taxes or no taxes at all, whether those means are lawful or unlawful. It’s one of the many fallouts from the Pandora Papers – a massive leak of financial information on the global elite. In this episode we ask: How does our tax avoidance and tax evasion impact our society? And how can we guarantee that the tax burden on each person is fair, and not unjust? 

        The host is Kieron Murdoch. The guests are:

        1. Dr. Thomson Fontaine, an economist currently working in South Sudan. As an economist, he worked at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for 13 years. His work and writing have focused on growth, currency crises, development, fiscal management, and debt. He is from Dominica and was a Senator there previously.
        2. Mr. Akaash Maharaj, Ambassador-at-Large for the Global Organisation of Parliamentarians Against Corruption known also as GOPAC. GOPAC is an International nongovernmental organization made up of parliamentarians from across the world, working together to combat corruption, strengthen good government, and uphold the rule of law.
        3. Dr. Robertine Chaderton, Chartered Accountant and Fraud Examiner joining us this afternoon from St Kitts and Nevis. She is a retired Senior Lecturer from the University of the West Indies Cave Hill, Barbados, where she lectured in Accounting, Auditing, Fraud and Caribbean Taxation for  30 years. Currently, she lectures in Multijurisdictional Tax at the Graduate level. And she is currently compiling a book on taxation in the Caribbean.
        4. Mr. Stafford Byers, an attorney originally from Antigua and Barbuda, joining us from New York where he works and resides.
        5. Ms. Liz Nelson, Director for Tax Justice and Human Rights, at The Tax Justice Network. The tax justice network is an advocacy group consisting of a coalition of researchers and activists with a shared concern about tax avoidance, tax competition, and tax havens. Liz Nelson leads the network’s programme of work on Tax Justice, Human Rights and Equalities. She is based in Oxford.


          6. This programme first aired on NewsCo Observer Radio 91.1 FM on October 24th, 2021. Get the latest news from Antigua and Barbuda at the Antigua Observer online.

          54 min
        6. Prejudice & Antigua's Hispanic Community

          A viral arrest video showing several policemen subduing a Hispanic man has generated a lot of discussion about the treat of that minority in Antigua and Barbuda. We ask: How are members of the Hispanic community treated in Antigua and Barbuda, and is there prejudice shown towards them?

          The host is Kieron Murdoch. The guests are:

          1. Mr. Arvel Grant, political and social commentator. Mr. Grant has a keen interest not only in the affairs of Antigua and Barbuda, but of the wider Caribbean. Professionally, he is a public health specialist working in the eye care sector.
          2. Ms. Karina Shepherd, an Antiguan by birth whose parents are from the Dominican Republic. She was raised in Antigua, but she is also citizen of the Dominican Republic. Ms. Shepherd is a recent graduate of the University of the West Indies, Five Islands where she studied accounting. 
          3. Mr. Orrett Connor, a retired senior civil servant and a current media personality and social commentator from the Cayman Islands. Mr. Orrett Connor known as “OC”, was formerly the Chief Immigration Officer in the Caymans, and he is also a former Cabinet Secretary and a former Deputy Supervisor of Elections. Presently, he is the host of the show, “For the Record” which airs on Radio Cayman, a Public Broadcaster in the Cayman Islands.


            4. This programme first aired on NewsCo Observer Radio 91.1 FM on December 19th, 2021. Get the latest news from Antigua and Barbuda at the Antigua Observer online.

            40 min
          4. Vindicated by the Verdict? Michael Browne's Political Future Debated

            Former Education Minister, and sitting Labour MP Michael Browne has survived a scandal after being found not guilty at trial over a serious criminal allegation. And Prime Minister Gaston Browne seems eager to put him back in the Cabinet. We ask: What ought to become of Michael Browne’s political career in the wake of the verdict?

            The host is Kieron Murdoch. The guests are:

            1. Mr. Akaash Maharaj, an Ambassador-at-Large for the Global Organisation of Parliamentarians Against Corruption known also as GOPAC. GOPAC is an International nongovernmental organization made up of parliamentarians from across the world, working together to combat corruption, strengthen good government, and uphold the rule of law.
            2. Dr. Isaac Newton, a political analyst, campaign manager, and a public policy advisor. He is currently President of the firm, Paramount Communications. In Antigua and Barbuda, he has advised both ABLP and UPP governments.
            3. Mr. Peter Wickham, Director of the polling and research firm: Caribbean Development Research Services. He has done numerous electoral polls in Antigua and Barbuda, and elsewhere in the region. He is a commentator on Caribbean political and social affairs. He is frequently retained by the ABLP.


              4. More on this episode: 

              Labour MP Michael Browne was arrested and charged with a serious offence back in November of 2020. He was sacked immediately from Cabinet. His trial was recent, happening between November and December of 2021. He was found not guilty on the criminal charge, which due to its nature, cannot be disclosed according to statutory prohibitions. 

              In the end, the scales of justice tilted in the favour of the Member of Parliament for All Saints West because, according to the judge, the Crown did not prove beyond all reasonable doubt that Browne was guilty. Browne maintained that he was completely innocent.

              This programme first aired on NewsCo Observer Radio 91.1 FM on December 19th, 2021. Get the latest news from Antigua and Barbuda at the Antigua Observer online.

              44 min
            4. The Real Cost: Gisele Isaac, Victimization & Political Vendettas

              The former Executive Secretary of the Board of Education, Gisele Isaac is awarded hefty damages after years fighting a case of unfair dismissal after being sacked without benefits in 2014 in what was then largely seen as a political move. So in our first segment we ask: What is the true cost of victimisation?

              The host is Kieron Murdoch. The guests are:

              1. Ms. Joan Underwood, an internationally certified Senior Professional in Human Resources, and she is currently the Managing Director and Principal Consultant of Underwood Talent Development Services (UTDS) Inc. based in Barbados.
              2. Mr. Anderson Carty, management Consultant specializing in Business Management, Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management with almost thirty years of experience. He is also running as an independent in St. John's Rural West. 
              3. Mr. Wayne Benjamin Marsh, an attorney at law who practices in New York, in Dominica and in Antigua and Barbuda. 


                4. More about this episode: 

                The aim of our discussion is firstly, to react the latest development (award of assessed damages) in the case between Giselle Isaac and the Board of Education (BoE). It's a case which the PM has tried to distance himself from in recent years, claiming it was one of his ministers who pushed the matter to be investigated and taken up by law enforcement. We aimed then to discuss how victimization affects individuals, the political system and our political culture, the willingness of persons in private and public life to take stances against those with power, the effective functioning of government, and the public purse.

                This programme first aired on NewsCo Observer Radio 91.1 FM on December 19th, 2021. Get the latest news from Antigua and Barbuda at the Antigua Observer online.

                41 min
              4. Scandal Ridden MP Asot Michael Accused Yet Again, Makes Fresh Denials

                It's December 2021 and disgraced Labour Party MP Asot Michael is again defending himself from newly made allegations of serious criminal wrongdoing which he dismissed as smear, and blamed on Labour Party leader, Prime Minister Gaston Browne. In this episode we ask: How will this latest allegation of yet another scandal affect Michael's political standing and that of the Antigua Barbuda Labour Party?

                The host is Kieron Murdoch. The guests are:

                1. Dr. David Hinds, a political commentator from Guyana. He is Associate Professor of African and African American studies at the Arizona State University. His focus is on Caribbean and African Diaspora Studies. His research interests include governance and politics in the Caribbean, and Black political leadership.
                2. Mr. Rishi Maharaj, Executive Director Equigov Institute. The Equigov Institute is A Social Enterprise based Consulting and Training Organization focused on Transparency, Accountability and Governance.
                3. Dr. Oswald Thomas, a professor, political consultant, coach, therapist and media commentator. His broad background is in education, psychotherapy, community organizing, youth work and social advocacy. He is a psycho-therapist. ABLP member.


                  4. More on this episode:

                  We cannot disclose the specific nature o the criminal allegation due to statutory prohibitions. MP Asot Michael has responded to the circulation of the allegation by putting out a press release presenting an alibi, supposed witnesses to attest to his innocence, and denying the accusation vehemently. He further accused the Prime Minister Gaston Browne of orchestrating the allegation. Browne responded via the PM's Office with a release denying the charge, and for the first time, publicly acknowledging that there had been past serious allegations of a similar nature against MP Michael.

                  This programme first aired on NewsCo Observer Radio 91.1 FM on December 12th, 2021. Get the latest news from Antigua and Barbuda at the Antigua Observer online.

                  36 min
                4. Police Leak Identity of Alleged Sex Assualt Victim?

                  The identity of an alleged victim of a sexual assault and the identity of the accused person have been leaked publicly in a voice note supposedly recorded by a policeman, and neither the police, nor any other public official has reacted to the affair. Now the details of the allegation are being tried in the court of public opinion, with the accused person claiming it's smear and the credibility of the accuser on trial before the police have concluded a proper investigation. We ask: How could such a gross and outrageous breach of confidentiality have occurred? Who should be held responsible? And how can we make reporting sex crimes a safer and easier?

                  The host is Kieron Murdoch. The guests are:

                  1. Ms. Joanne Massiah, attorney and Political Leader of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA). She was formerly at different time an MP, a Senator, and a Minister of State. 
                  2. Ms. Lebrechtta Nana Oye Hesse Bayne, the Founder and a Director of Shidaa Sustainable Development Solutions Ltd. Professionally known by her middle name, Nana, she is a Social Economist and Gender Expert with over eighteen years international experience, acquired in countries such as Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Ghana, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
                  3. The Hon. Senator Bakesha Francis-James, the independent member of the Senate.


                    4. More on this episode:

                    The leaked voice note regards an alleged sexual assualt which was reported to the police as having occurred on Tuesday, December 7th, 2021. Shockingly, the voicenote, which appears to have been recorded by an unidentified policeman, reveals both the identities of the alleged victim, and the alleged perpetrator. The accused person was actually called by name while the alleged victim was described by their profession, their place of work, their gender, and details about their appearance. 

                    Circulating with the voicenote, was a picture of what appeared to be partial, typed up details of the report made to police about the alleged sexual assualt. The picture further revealed the alleged victim’s age to the public as well. The person who recorded the voicenote is assumed to be a policeman since he referred to the person he was supposedly about to send the information to as “sarge” (short for sergeant). In many countries around the world, the alleged victim in a sex crime is entitled to anonymity and confidentiality. 

                    In Antigua and Barbuda, this has been the case and the leaking of the identity of such a person is a shocking deviation from what the law demands. The Sexual Offences Act 1995 makes it unlawful to publish the names of either the alleged victim or the alleged perpetrator unless, in the case of the alleged perpetrator, there has been a conviction. Otherwise, the individuals would have had to have waived their right to anonymity. 

                    More shockingly, there has up to this point been no public statement or reaction from commissioner of police, nor any police official, nor any other public official regarding what appears to be a gross breach of confidentiality in relation to a sexual assault complaint. There has been no acknowledgement of the leak, no apology, no explanation of how it managed to happen, no news of any internal inquiry - nothing. There has been silence, as if to suggest that the leak is not that serious an issue.

                    This programme first aired on NewsCo Observer Radio 91.1 FM on December 12th, 2021. Get the latest news from Antigua and Barbuda at the Antigua Observer online.

                    41 min
                  4. The Teens Going Missing Yearly in Antigua Barbuda

                    Every year in Antigua and Barbuda adolescents go missing from their guardians’ homes, and are sometimes unseen for days, often until the police put out a public notice. When the teens are found, little more is said except that they are in good health. In this episode we ask: What’s really behind the disappearances of these teens?

                    The host is Kieron Murdoch. The guests are:

                    1. Ms. Naeemah Hazelle, Deputy Director of the National Counselling Centre in St. Kitts and Nevis. Ms. Hazelle has studied sociology and psychology, specializing in gender and race. She has over 20 years of experience working with youth communities in St. Kitts and Nevis in the areas of Health and Family Life Education, guidance and counselling, juvenile justice, and NGO development.
                    2. Mrs. Feona Charles-Richards, Acting Director of the Family and Social Services Division here in Antigua and Barbuda. In that role she coordinates the work of a number of social services including The Child Protection Unit, The Probation Unit, and the and The Boys Training School. She studied psychology as well.
                    3. Mr. Ashworth Azille, Principal of the Clare Hall Secondary School. Also a former President of the Antigua and Barbuda Union of Teachers.
                    4. Ms. Sharon-Rose Gittens, Vice President of the Barbados Association Professional Social Workers. She is a former registered nurse who joined the Barbados Welfare Department in 1999. She studied educational psychology and social work. She is a member of the Barbados Social Justice Committee. 


                      5. More on this episode:

                      The controversy that surrounds these cases often stems from the fact that little information about the circumstances of their disappearance or failure to return home is reported by the authorities after the child or adolescent is recovered. So speculation tends to occur. Of course, since the details of what goes on in these disappearances cases is scant, who can really say exactly what is taking place in these cases and with what prevalence? 

                      All the public knows is that from time to time, a young person will be reported as missing, their picture will be circulated in an effort to find them, then they are reported as found. One recurring theme in public commentary on the issue is that there may be older teens or adults who are harboring and or in an unlawful relationship with missing teens in some cases. Because of this notion, many people question why there are not follow up reports of persons being held responsible for harboring children unlawfully. 

                      It might also be that young people flee their homes due to tension and anxiety in the domestic environment. They may be fleeing abuse as well. They might be staying with a relative who is not rightfully their guardian, but with whom they prefer to lodge. The reasons why we have these cases could vary significantly as discussed by the today's guests.

                      This programme first aired on NewsCo Observer Radio 91.1 FM on December 12th, 2021. Get the latest news from Antigua and Barbuda at the Antigua Observer online.

                      44 min

                    About The Big Issues

                    From the publisher's feed

                    From the remote twin-island paradise of Antigua and Barbuda, weekly guest panels discuss the biggest issues of politics, economy, people and culture, that make its sun-kissed shores famous and infamous.