USP Academic Challenges Military Curbs

USP Academic Challenges Military Curbs

Dr David Whish-Wilson has urged the Republic of Fiji Military Forces to look at their own statements if they thought it was illegal to spread reports that create or foster public alarm.

Dr Wilson, a lecturer at the USP’s School of Language, Arts & Media yesterday queried the RFMF’s intention of threatening scholarship termination for students who left their opinions on internet sites, likeweblogs or blogs.

"What’s the purpose of using such inflammatory language as 'tracking them down' if it’s not to foster a sense of public alarm, or anxiety? Especially now that the Emergency Decree has been lifted,” Dr Wilson said.

He asked for evidence that students represented a threat to national security.

“It’s so obviously counter-productive that you have to wonder about the purpose of doing it. Is the purpose to genuinely catch seditious people or
is it really to create and perpetuate a climate of fear?” Dr Wilson asked.

“And if this is the case, then in effect, Col Pita Driti’s comments themselves possible contravene the Public Order Act by annoyingly spreading false news or reports to create or foster public alarm.”

Col Pita Driti, the RFMF Land Forces Commander had said that the military would track down student bloggers who were speaking out against the military and interim regime.

Dr Wilson claimed earlier that some USP students were taken to the army barracks in regards to the blogs. He said the students were threatened by weapons and warned that their scholarships would be terminated. Dr Wilson also claims that they have documentary evidence of military abuses.

“And while we’re on the subject of legality or illegality, there are
also the concerns we have about how the RFMF is getting their information. Are they hacking into the USP network, or do they have someone passing on information from the inside and if so, how legal is this?” Dr Wilson asked.

ENDS