Media Lost Its Critical Faculties on VAT‑Free Day, Opposition Leader Accuses

By Val Matthias. Updated 1:42 p.m., Tuesday, January 6, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4). 

Opposition Leader Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has criticized local media for failing to critically analyze reports on the December 19 VAT‑free day, arguing that coverage relied too heavily on official statements and surface observations.  

Gonsalves said journalists had “lost their critical faculties” by repeating claims of success without interrogating what benchmarks were being used to measure that success. He noted that crowd sizes and business activity were highlighted, but little attention was paid to whether consumer spending patterns or revenue estimates supported the narrative.  

Media coverage of the VAT‑free day included interviews with Inland Revenue Department Comptroller Kelvin Pompey, who reported that teams from his department and the Consumer Affairs Division were monitoring compliance across business places. Pompey said most VAT‑registered businesses were adhering to the rules, with exemptions limited to cigarettes, motor vehicles, and arms and ammunition. He added that sales receipts confirmed VAT was being excluded and that consumers were benefiting from the savings.  

Pompey also explained that VAT‑registered businesses with annual sales above EC$300,000 were eligible to participate, and that compliance was widespread. He described the day’s implementation as “successful,” noting enthusiasm among consumers and confidence that policymakers would be satisfied with the outcome.  

While these reports provided official confirmation of compliance and consumer turnout, Gonsalves argued that journalists should have gone further by examining whether the initiative met revenue expectations and by questioning the broader impact on the economy. He maintained that without such analysis, the public receives only partial information about the effectiveness of government measures.  

END