Energy Minister to File Civil Suit Against Social Media Commentator

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Energy Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis says she plans to file a civil suit over social media attacks targeting her and her family. Coleby-Davis admitted the attacks hurt and called them disgraceful and distasteful.

Energy Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis plans to file a civil suit against a social media commentator who she alleges made libelous comments toward her and her family.

Two letters made the rounds on social media. One, from Coleby-Davis, was addressed to the commissioner of police, asking him to investigate Island Tea Real, the talk show on Facebook, following a post accusing her of personal attacks and attacks on her performance.

The second letter came from her legal counsel, McKinney Turner & Co., making the same request of the police commissioner.

The energy minister says while she is grateful for the opportunity to serve, she stressed the impact such attacks have on her family.

JoBeth Coleby-Davis – Minister, Energy and Transport
“I do this work on behalf of the Bahamian people, but I still have to protect my friends and my loved ones and their interests. It does hurt. It hurts them a lot when they hear these things, when they see these things. At the end of the day, my peace is my home, my husband, my daughter Bethany, and my friends and family that enjoy my company when we have that free time.”

Coleby-Davis called the remarks distasteful and disgraceful, adding that the situation is becoming intolerable.

Politicians and other public figures have often found themselves at the receiving end of social media attacks.

The wife and mother of one says the incident highlights the vulnerability of all parliamentarians to social media attacks.

JoBeth Coleby-Davis – Minister, Energy and Transport
“While we are serving, we’re still human, and there’s still a level of respect and decorum that people should have. If there is a question, you question, but to suggest and continue to lambast and spread these lies and think that nothing can happen to you, and that you can do as you please, is unfair for us as politicians who serve in this role. I am excited to be able to transform the nation’s energy sector.”

She also offered words of encouragement to future politicians who may feel discouraged by similar situations.

JoBeth Coleby-Davis – Minister, Energy and Transport
“I want them to be encouraged, to stand strong, to begin to face some of the adversity that will come with this role, but to also know that there is a level of justice present and available for them. The fact that you are a politician or parliamentarian does not mean you must silently take the negative and the nasty abuse that comes.”