Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF)

The country’s new state proceedings decree grants Fiji’s regime leader and his ministers exemption from defamation suits over anything they may say in public or private.

Twenty-nine IFEX members have signed a letter to the Prosecutor General about the detention of editor Igor Vinyavsky, whose detention is believed to be politically motivated, calling for him to be released and for the evidence leading to his arrest to be made public.

PFF is calling for an investigation into the incident and is warning media workers to be vigilant about their safety and their rights.

Another defamation suit filed against a PNG media organisation has raised questions on why public complaints are not being taken up with the national media complaints committee.

A “contempt” case was filed against the “Fiji Times” after it published an interview containing comments about the judiciary that offended the attorney general.

Prior to the UN summit of world leaders in Rio in June 2012 (Rio+20) to discuss the environment and sustainable development goals, 77 civil society organisations recommend the adoption of national laws on access to information, public participation and access to justice in the environment, a new UN convention on access to environmental information, and a UN Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

“As a regional leader, New Zealand decision makers need to be aware there are wider implications, including whether they are setting a precedent for partner countries,” said PFF.

Closing down state media outlets is a short-sighted reaction to cost cutting pressures, says PFF.