(PINA/IFEX) – On 2 August 1999, the “Daily Post” reported that the Fiji Islands government is examining a report by the country’s biggest daily newspaper, “The Fiji Times”, for a possible breach of the Public Order Act. Minister for Lands and Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Act (ALTA) Ratu Mosese Volavola was quoted by the “Daily […]
(PINA/IFEX) – On 2 August 1999, the “Daily Post” reported that the Fiji
Islands government is examining a report by the country’s biggest daily
newspaper, “The Fiji Times”, for a possible breach of the Public Order Act.
Minister for Lands and Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Act (ALTA) Ratu
Mosese Volavola was quoted by the “Daily Post” as saying: “I wonder if the
newspaper editors were genuinely concerned about the plight of the
landowners or they simply saw this as another opportunity to discredit the
efforts of the new government.” He added: “Media responsibility is again the
issue which comes to the forefront in this kind of negative and
irresponsible journalism.”
**Updates IFEX alerts of 5 July, 23 June and 22 June 1999**
“The Fiji Times” report of 31 July quoted a major indigenous Fijian
landowner and traditional chief as warning of bloodshed if the government
attempts to alter land lease agreements under ALTA. She told “The Fiji
Times” there was no need for dialogue with the government as the indigenous
Fijians want back their land which has been leased out to mainly ethnic
Indian canefarmers.
“The Fiji Times” quoted Minister Volavola as saying: “The government will
take the necessary steps to ensure that the…ALTA story in ‘The Fiji Times’
is examined by the State Law Office to determine a possible breach of the
Public Order Act with intent to create ill-will amongst our major ethnic
communities.” The newspaper responded with an editorial comment which said:
“It seems this Government will never understand that the media in general
and this newspaper in particular is not against it. The latest display of
official paranoia comes from the Minister for Lands, Ratu Mosese Volavola.
He thinks The Fiji Times published the warning by the Marama Tui Ba that
Fijians would shed blood if the Government tried to interfere with ALTA in
an effort to somehow discredit the Government. He goes on to offer the view
that it is irresponsible to prominently report the statements of one of the
nation’s largest landowners.
“He even has a warning of his own: that the newspaper may have breached The
Public Order Act ‘with intent to create ill will amongst our major ethnic
communities.’ Ratu Mosese, like so many of his colleagues, is misguided,
mistaken and misinformed on the role of the media. Adi Senimili Cagilaba
made a very strong statement outlining her stand on ALTA and the renewal of
leases. She warned that blood would flow if the Government sought to alter
the ALTA arrangements.
“That, for Ratu Mosese'[s] enlightenment, is news. This newspaper is in the
business of reporting news. Whether or not the news puts the Government in a
good light is not a concern. Understandably, Ratu Mosese does not like this
particular piece of news. But by blaming the media for having the effrontery
to publish it, he invites public ridicule.
“For the record, this newspaper supports the Government’s and the Prime
Minister’s efforts to resolve the ALTA impasse in a speedy and equitable
manner. The Fiji Times has consistently called for a solution to this
problem, the most important that the Government and the nation face today.
“Without such a solution the whole future of Fiji is under a cloud of
uncertainty. And it is heartening that the Prime Minister has personally
intervened in an effort to find the answer the country so desperately needs.
Indeed, if Ratu Mosese would concentrate his own energies on the real
issue – ALTA – instead of blasting hot air in the direction of the media,
more progress might be made.
“Instead of denigrating this newspaper, he might be better employed
addressing the very real concern of landowners such as Adi Senimili. And
while, this newspaper does not share her views on ALTA, it believes that
little can be gained by suppressing them as Ratu Mosese seems intent on
doing.”
Background Information
The Fiji Islands has amongst the most diverse and free news media in the
Pacific Islands. They include two seven-day-a-week English-language daily
newspapers, with a third about to be launched; weekly newspapers in Hindi,
Fijian, and English; news, business, trade and entertainment magazines;
independent commercial, community and religious radio stations;
government-owned public and commercial radio stations; and commercial and
community television. But the news media have come under continuing attack
from Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry and assistant Information Minister
Lekh Ram Vayeshnoi since the election of the new Labour-led coalition
government in May (see recent IFEX alerts).
