Commonwealth Observers Call for Independent Board to Oversee ABS

Commonwealth election observers have renewed calls for sweeping reforms to state-owned media, urging the establishment of independent oversight to bolster public confidence in election coverage.

According to Antigua News Room, the Commonwealth Observer Group made the recommendation in its final report on the April 30, 2026 general election, calling for the Antigua Broadcasting Service (ABS) to be incorporated as a state-owned entity governed by an independent board of directors.

The recommendation is not new. Previous Commonwealth observer missions raised the same concern, and the group reiterated it as a means of addressing persistent questions about accessibility, fairness and perceived bias in state media coverage.

"As recommended by the COG in 2023, the incorporation of ABS as a state-owned entity with an independent board of directors governing its policies, operations and programming could help mitigate some of the challenges regarding accessibility, fairness and bias," the report stated.

The observer group described Antigua and Barbuda's broader media environment as active and diverse, noting that radio, television, online platforms and social media all played significant roles in informing voters during the campaign period. Nevertheless, the report flagged concerns raised by stakeholders regarding political polarization, editorial independence and allegations of bias within state-owned outlets.

Observers also pointed to the absence of a codified, election-specific media code of conduct and called for wider reforms to depoliticize the media landscape. Among the additional recommendations were the creation of an independent media council or monitoring body and measures to ensure balanced coverage and fair access for all political parties.

Overall, the Commonwealth Observer Group concluded that the 2026 general election was conducted in a peaceful, orderly and transparent manner. However, it maintained that stronger media regulation and improved governance would further reinforce public trust in Antigua and Barbuda's democratic process.