ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, JUNE 16TH – Grenada Broadcasting Network faced accusations of bowing to government pressure Tuesday night after it removed veterinarian Dr Kenrith Carter from a highly anticipated panel discussion, after senior Agriculture Ministry officials reportedly refused to appear alongside him.

The controversy unfolded just minutes before the start of Beyond the Headlines, a program promoted throughout the day as a discussion of animal importation policies and procedures featuring Dr Carter, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Javan Williams, and Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Kimmond Cummings.

But although Dr Carter arrived at the station prepared to participate, he never made it on air.

The Ministry officials reportedly informed the station shortly before the broadcast that they did not have permission to appear on the program if Dr Carter was on the panel. Faced with the prospect of losing its government guests, GBN opted to proceed with the officials and ask Dr Carter to step aside.

The decision immediately sparked criticism from viewers, many of whom had anticipated a robust discussion between government officials and one of the most vocal critics of the state’s handling of the recent horse euthanasia controversy.

The program came amid continuing public debate over the destruction of two horses imported from Saint Lucia by businessman Royan Smith. The Ministry of Agriculture ordered the animals euthanized after they reportedly tested positive for Babesia, a tick-borne disease.

Smith has maintained the horses could have been quarantined and treated rather than destroyed, while Dr Carter has publicly questioned whether all available scientific and veterinary options were properly considered before the decision was taken.

Against that backdrop, the advertised panel was widely viewed as an opportunity for government officials to publicly address concerns raised by both Smith and Carter.

Instead, viewers were left with a discussion featuring only government representatives after GBN chose to accommodate their concerns.

In a statement issued following the program, GBN acknowledged that Dr Carter had accepted its invitation and was present and ready to participate. The broadcaster said that “circumstances that arose shortly before broadcast” necessitated changes to the program lineup and apologized for the inconvenience.

GBN also said it had committed to providing Dr Carter with a separate platform to share his views in the near future.

The episode has nevertheless fuelled questions about whether public officials should be permitted to dictate the terms of media appearances and whether viewers were denied the balanced exchange of perspectives advertised throughout the day.