Fiji Labour Party Concerned About Media Landscape

Fiji Labour Party Concerned About Media Landscape

SUVA (Radio NZ International / Pacific Media Watch): The Fiji Labour Party says it intends to raise alleged threats against Fiji Television with the Constitutional Commission, saying the process of taking Fiji back to democratic rule via elections is not taking place in a free and fair environment.

This comes after the regime reportedly warned Fiji TV that its licence would not be renewed because the regime was displeased with the coverage given to politicians like the Labour leader, Mahendra Chaudhry, and the ousted prime minister Laisenia Qarase.

The Labour Party says interim Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum must confirm or deny these reports.

According to the Fijivillage website, Sayed-Khaiyum says he met the Fiji TV chair last month to emphasise that Fiji TV needed to be fair and balanced.

Fiji TV has not responded to the allegation of threats but issued a statement to say that Fiji TV was given a formal assurance last year that its licence would be renewed for another 12-year term.

The Fiji Labour Party says local media organisations are still not giving fair and balanced coverage to elected political leaders perceived as opposition by the regime.

ENDS

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