The Poleon-Choice TV Break Up – Both Sides Speak Out

These were the words of Mediazone/Choice TV CEO, Wayne Whitfield in an interview with The VOICE.

Whitfield’s words came in response to the firestorm topic concerning the recent sudden resignation of Choice news anchor Timothy Poleon.

Since the controversial walkout, Poleon has given thinly veiled explanations as to why he left. He stated repeatedly on air during his lunchtime radio talk show, News Spin that he was no longer able to tolerate pressures being placed on him whilst holding the position of News Director/Editor at the station.

However, without admitting or denying any definitive explanation, the suggestion that his resignation was due to him being under pressure by Choice management who were in turn under pressure from the current St. Lucia Labour Party government spread rapidly, leaving the masses to roll with the tide.

Whitfield, who rarely gives interviews, said it was time that he spoke out since everyone had seemingly come to their own conclusions on the matter without reaching out to him for his side of the story.

Whitfield said he has a vision for his company to ensure continued success and if challenges come along the way, he will seek to appease them. However, whatever direction he chooses for his company, was of his own doing and not because of the influence of outside parties.

The Choice CEO added: “I challenge any and all talk show hosts who have accused the media of being bought or of being infiltrated by the current administration or any other administration, I challenge them to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that this has happened.”

The VOICE reached out to Poleon to get his explanation for the turn of events. Poleon had this to say: “I basically went to Choice as a favour to Wayne. I had no reason to leave DBS, I had my own programme hosting Newsmaker at DBS and from time to time I had been News Director. I needed nothing else, I went there (to Choice) as a friend. People were looking forward to the 8:00 p.m. news and those who traditionally looked forward to the 7:00 p.m., if they missed it, they would go to the 8:00 p.m. But basically, working there became very unbearable. There was just too much interference “

He added: “As a journalist, if you’re worth your salt, you don’t want there to be too much interference and so on, you want the guidance. The Manager/ Managing Director always has the final say, you respect that but as a journalist, you have your own integrity, you want to do things that you could live with in terms of the content of your broadcast and so, you do not want to compromise anything. I just felt there was too much interference in terms of production and I found that there was a lot of micro managing and it became unbearable so I could not stay there.”

Poleon said this was the first time in his 27 years in the media that he has ever walked out on a job.

He said this was the best move he could make for the sake of his sanity and peace of mind even though at the time he did not know what employment he was going to get into next.

Poleon did however stress that he is proud of his achievements at Choice News.

When asked if he believes that Mediazone is under the influence of politicians or a political party, Poleon said: “I will not go into that because people say ‘Don’t burn your bridges’ and all that. I do not believe in maligning people. I do not believe in talking bad of my employers. You will not find me talking bad about Radio St. Lucia where I started or even when I left DBS, you would not hear me talking in any way negative about DBS. So I value my relationships with my past employers and my current employers so I will not go into that.”

Behind the scenes, Poleon and Whitfield shared a friendship spanning over 20 years. We asked both men to speak on the state of their friendship. Here’s what they said:

Whitfield: “I hold no grudges. I think Timothy needs to be honest with his audience and his public as to the reason why he left…the real reason why he left Choice and walked out, and not make it seem like there’s an alternative agenda because all the reporters and staff were at the meeting when he did what he had to do and we know why. He needs to come clean and say why and don’t make the public believe it’s because of political pressure. If I have done you wrong or somebody wrong and I have to apologise, I will apologise. If I have not done my due diligence and I’ve wronged somebody, I will make amends but that doesn’t mean I’m weak or it’s because of political pressure.

Poleon: “Let’s put it this way, I’m a consummate professional, that’s all I have to say with regard to my relationship with him, with Choice Television, I’m a consummate professional.