Controversial YouTube commentator and the man behind PDTV, Andre Stephens, is again ruffling feathers and has already received letters to cease and desist incendiary volleys on his show.

This time, Cabinet minister Audrey Marks has taken issue with the way he has characterised her Jamaica’s Promise non-profit and the connection Stephens has made between it and political funding for Prime Minister Andrew Holness.  Stephens also questioned its relationship with the Stay Strong Jamaica Hurricane Relief Concert, which takes place on January 2.

It should be noteworthy that Audrey Marks conceptualised Jamaica’s Promise back in 2001, almost a quarter of a century ago, before she entered politics, before she even became a diplomat.  Registered in Washington DC, this charity was formed for the express purpose of helping young people in Jamaica who face economic challenges in pursuing education or skills training. Donations to the organisation are tax-deductible for US taxpayers.

Andre Stephens has audaciously asked whether Jamaica’s Promise made any contribution to the Holness political campaign. What was the level of financial contribution, if at all, and why is money from the fundraiser event going to Jamaica Promise? Why is it not directly going to the charities in Jamaica?

“I don’t trust this,” said Stephens.

These questions have drawn attention to Jamaica’s Promise and its functionaries, in particular, the deceased former Consul-General of New York, Alsion Roach, who was a dear friend of Ambassador Marks for many years.

US-based charities should not be politically affiliated; therefore, Stephens’ connection between Jamaica’s Promise and the funding of Andrew Holness’ political campaign may draw attention from the State Department and the FBI.

Ambassador Marks would be irked by these questions, and it is expected that she would extricate herself from any perceived wrongdoing here and accusations of political machinations.

As both a former ambassador (to the United States) and a prominent business personage, she brings a new dimension and unique skillset to Jamaican politics and government. More often than not, Jamaicans spend years working their way up the greasy pole of local politics, then enter the national arena after serving time in opaque careers. That’s not the case with Marks. She has always wanted to contribute to Jamaica’s development and participate in public service utilising her broad experience.

She is new to Jamaican politics, and this has already called into question her reputation. She would therefore feel compelled to respond and did so expeditiously.

Through her attorneys, she is demanding a public apology and full retraction with failure to do so meaning Stephens having to answer a defamation lawsuit.

Her attorneys Clarke & Clayton fired off a cease and desist letter which read in part: “On a real posted on Instagram on or about December 15, you wrongfully and maliciously published information which you know to be untrue about Ambassador Marks and the charity for which she is patron, ‘Jamaica’s Promise’.”

“Your Instagram reel alleges that ‘Jamaica’s Promise’ is the entity behind the ‘Stay Strong Jamaica Hurricane Relief Concert’, scheduled for January 2, 2026, at the Hard Rock Cafe. 

“For the record, ‘Jamaica’s Promise’ is not behind the Stay Strong Jamaica Hurricane Relief, but was purely one of the charities mentioned to which funds raised can be given for hurricane relief. As presented by you, your allegation would lead to an account inference that ‘Jamaica’s Promise’ would be the chief organiser or host of the hurricane relief event.

“You further maliciously indicated that Ambassador Audrey Marks used this charity to fundraise for the Dr Andrew Holness election campaign this past September and that by collecting funds for political interest, the charity has acted in a manner that breaches its obligations. This is absolutely false as Jamaica’s Promise did not campaign for or on behalf of Dr Andrew Holness or any other political persons, including Ambassador Marks.”

Stephens is not backing off and, in fact, is defiant. He says Ambassador Marks, as a Member of Parliament and member of the Cabinet, is a public servant handling public funds and therefore scrutiny and pressing questions are warranted.

In response to the cease and desist letter, Stephens replied: “How did I defame you, Audrey Marks? All of them have come after me… Daryl Vaz, Cliff Hughes, Ryan Reid, but has any one of them been successful? I have never had to appear in court because none of them are ready to open their books and face scrutiny.”

Many of these new YouTube social media commentators are building bigger audiences than traditional media houses, but there are those who utter outrageous statements that cannot be substantiated. In the United States, Candace Owens has gotten into hot water for just that. Last year, Prime Minister Andrew Holness threatened to address this issue and then backed off. It does need addressing. One cannot just come on a platform and make vile allegations, repeat heresy, and, without a scintilla of evidence, excoriate people and malign their reputations.

This new media paradigm should not be allowed to get out of control and veer outside the tenets of journalism. Fair comment yes; unsubstantiated accusations and character assassination, no. 

“Andre Stephens has built up PDTV and is doing a good job. He has traditional media in Jamaica on the run, and thousands tune in to his show. He is asking the question about Jamaica’s Promise against the background that there is a lot of corruption in Jamaican politics. Any Government minister who becomes a millionaire after working in a Government office is a thief.

“I would advise Audrey Mark’s husband to tell her to drop this and not subject herself to the scrutiny into all her affairs that her course of action will entail.  Jamaica’s Promise has always been above board and can do some good work helping the relief effort. Audrey Marks is a new government minister and must get her head down, do the work and build her reputation. She could be one of the most effective politicians in Jamaica over the coming years, but she mustn’t be dragged into scandal and controversy that taints what she is trying to do. She did a great job as Ambassador here in DC

“Stephens says that he is simply asking questions and not being malicious. She should answer them fulsomely and move on. She has the regard and confidence of the prime minister. Once you enter the political arena, you are fair game,” said Peter Hinkson, who was associated with JNA of DC.