IFJ Supports Fiji Citizens’ Calls for Press Freedom

September 28, 2011

IFJ Supports Fiji Citizens’ Calls for Press Freedom

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins the Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF) in renewing calls for Fiji’s military regime to end the Public Emergency Regulations (PER) and Media Decree which regulate censorship in the country.

The IFJ’s demands follow a report released on September 7 by Sydney-based think tank the Lowy Institute for International Policy, reaffirming Fiji citizens’ overwhelming support for freedom of expression and a media free from censorship.

The report, Fiji: At Home and in the World, contains the results of a face-to-face opinion poll conducted in Fiji between August 19 and 21, 2011 using a random sample of 1032 adults from Fiji’s main island Viti Levu.

In the report, 98 per cent of respondents either strongly or partly agreed that it was important to have the right to free expression. Similarly, 96 per cent either strongly or partly agreed in the right to a media free from censorship.

The report also confirms that Fiji citizens remain unconvinced that the media has become more reliable and trustworthy since the 2006 coup, despite statements by Fiji Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum that the intention of the Media Decree was to improve the quality of the local media. Fifty-five per cent of those interviewed said the media’s performance now was either the same (31 per cent) or less reliable (24 per cent) since the coup.

“The IFJ joins the PFF in demanding that Fiji’s regime recognise the role of a free and independent media in a sustainable democracy,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.

“Fiji’s administration must honour its commitment for a transition to full democratic rule by calling elections, and by repealing the decree and regulations that restrain Fiji’s media.”

The Media Industry Development Decree, introduced by the regime in June 2010, permanently installed the sweeping censorship that had been in force in Fiji since the “temporary” Public Emergency Regulations were imposed in April 2009.

Under the laws, the regime and its authorities decide what fair, balanced and quality journalism is. The decree allows officers authorised by a government appointed media authority and tribunal to enter newsrooms and media offices to seize any documentation, materials or equipment on the basis of vaguely defined complaints, or even where no formal complaint has been laid.

Thousands of news reports have been censored by the tribunal since the regulations were introduced in 2009. Self-censorship is also widespread in Fiji as a result of the laws.

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries

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