IFJ Condemns Detention of News Editor in Fiji

IFJ Condemns Detention of News Editor in Fiji

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF) in expressing alarm that an editor of a prominent Fiji online news agency was held for questioning overnight after publishing a report about the nation’s police commissioner.

The move was enacted under the Fiji military regime’s controversial Media Industry Development Decree, which sets fines and possible jail terms for journalists and media organisations deemed to breach the regime’s media codes, including its Media Code of Ethics and Practice.

State-run Fiji Broadcasting Corporation reported that fijilive.com news editor Richard Naidu was taken in on July 30 by the Criminal Investigations Department and questioned over a report published on the site the previous day, which alleged Police Commissioner Commodore Esala Teleni had been suspended. Police said the allegation was incorrect, the report said.

Naidu was held overnight and questioned before he was released about 11am on July 31.

Regional press freedom group PFF said in a statement that the detention of Naidu raised concerns about a continuing campaign of intimidation and fear against Fiji’s journalists.

“The IFJ is deeply worried that Fiji’s authorities were so quick to detain and hold overnight a journalist over a news report about which any complaints ought to be dealt with by independent civil means,” IFJ General Secretary Aidan White said.

“Detention as a first resort about a complaint over media content is a troubling indication of the manner in which Fiji’s authorities intend to apply the media decree and control media output.

“The IFJ urges Fiji’s power holders to reconsider resort to this contested and restrictive law and instead engage with media and civil society to develop an independent regulatory system that can deal with complaints in a way that promotes rather than stifles ethical journalism and press freedom.”

Naidu’s detention was reportedly unrelated to the off-line status of fijilive.com at the weekend, with the regime claiming not to be involved.

Fijilive.com was not included in a list of media groups that had registered with authorities by July 31, as required under the decree. The Fiji Broadcasting Corporation reported on August 2 that fijilive.com sources said the broadcaster registered one day late, and took the website down while its application was processed. Fijilive.com was back online on August 2.

Reports said the list of registered organisations includes Fiji TV, Communications Fiji Ltd, Fiji Times, Fiji Sun, ALSA Ltd as Mai Life Magazine, Mai TV, Active Media, Sporting Pulse, Islands Business, Fiji Broadcasting Corporation, Half Time publications, and Bula Namaste.

Fijilive.com meanwhile reported on August 2 that Professor Satendra Nandan, dean of Humanities at the University of Fiji, would not take up the position as chairman of the decree’s enforcement body, the Media Industry Development Authority, for health reasons. He has been replaced by Professor Subramani, a well-known academic.

Other members of the regime-nominated authority include Solicitor-General Christopher Pryde; Asilika Uluilakeba, representing the interests of children; Jimaima Schultz, representing consumers; Peni Moore, representing women; and Matai Akaoula, manager and training coordinator for the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA), representing the media industry.

ENDS