Let’s Be Agents of Peace and Civility

By Naji Khoury, president and CEO of Liberty Puerto Rico

Editor’s note: The following was first published in the Nov. 5-11 issue of Caribbean Business.

I have been reflecting on this day, as we completed the acquisition of AT&T in Puerto Rico and USVI, on how dynamic our industry is, how essential it has become, and how competitive it is. However, I could not stop thinking of the campaigns and tactics our competitors have used for the past year. Campaign tactics based on misinformation, fear, confusion, negativity, and lack of respect and decency. Our society today is very much polarized, fatigued from the bickering, but for sure hungry for optimism, respect and looking to turn the page.

We are not running away from competition, rather we welcome it with open arms. We deeply believe that competition brings out the best in people and companies, creates strong teams, improves performance, drives innovation and, most importantly, benefits the customer. In the free world where we live, luckily, we have free competition where consumers can make their own choices based on their needs and circumstances. Those choices should be made based on benefits, price, and availability of products and services, not misinformation and smear campaigns from competitors. 

We, at Liberty, are surely not perfect, but we have always strived to be the best, to give the best service, to be the best employer and to help the communities with their needs.

At Liberty, we choose to take the higher road in the face of negativity and ill treatment. I invite fellows in the telecom industry to rise to the moment and be an example, role models, to our employees and to society. To embrace clean and healthy competition, which brings the best in all. There is no place for insults, gossip, rumors, and tactics of fear. The messages we send through our advertising and communications should not add fire to that culture of hatred and disrespect.

Let’s be agents of peace and civility in a world that needs it so much. It is our responsibility. It is the right thing to do.

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