Articles by Pacific Islands News Association (PINA)
Government gives “Fiji Times” editor-in-chief twenty-eight days to leave the country
**Updates IFEX alert of 25 and 24 November 1999** (PINA/IFEX) – On 30 December 1999, the Fiji Islands government gave “The Fiji Times” editor-in-chief Russell Hunter twenty-eight days to leave the country, the newspaper reported. It stated that a faxed letter sent to the newspaper’s lawyers said that Minister for Home Affairs Joji Uluinakauvadra had […]
Minister lodges police complaint against journalists
(PINA/IFEX) – Fiji Islands news media have reported two more clashes involving government ministers and the news media. On 17 November 1999, Assistant Information Minister Lekh Ram Vayeshnoi lodged a complaint with police alleging that a Fiji Television reporter and cameraperson entered his office without permission. According to local media reports, the reporter and cameraperson […]
Spy agency investigates broadcaster, magazine over East Timor reports
On 8 December 1999, Inter Press Service (IPS) reported that Australia’s national broadcaster and a magazine are being investigated by Australia’s spy agency for airing and publishing a series of stories based on alleged intelligence leaks on East Timor. IPS said “The Age” newspaper, of Melbourne, reported the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) was probing […]
Two individuals fined over bid to start non-government radio
On 8 December 1999, the directors of the company trying to set up Kiribati’s first non-government radio station were each fined a total of $A35 (approx. US$23) in the Magistrates Court in Bairiki. They were former Kiribati President Ieremia Tabai, 49, and a former Radio Kiribati programme manager, Atiera Tetoa, 51, the directors of Newair […]
New Zealand journalist barred
(PINA/IFEX) – On 29 November 1999, the regional news service Pacnews reported that Kiribati has barred New Zealand journalist Michael Field from the country. It said President Teburoro Tito had told parliament the government banned Field because of his articles published in the regional magazine “Pacific Islands Monthly”. Field is an Agence France-Presse journalist based […]
Journalists to sue government parliamentarian over letter
(PINA/IFEX) – On 26 November 1999, three “Fiji Times” journalists instructed their lawyers to begin defamation action against a government member of parliament (MP), the newspaper reported. The defamation actions are over a letter to the editor MP Muthu Swamy wrote following criticism of his attack on the three journalists in the House of Representatives […]
Government refuses work permit to “The Fiji Times” editor-in-chief
(PINA/IFEX) – On 25 November 1999, the Fiji Islands government informed “The Fiji Times” that the work permit of the newspaper group’s editor-in-chief will not be renewed. The letter refusing “The Fiji Times” application for the renewal was received on the day the newspaper accused the government of conducting a “vendetta” against it (see IFEX […]
“The Fiji Times” challenges government parliamentarian over attack on journalists
(PINA/IFEX) – On 25 November 1999 (local date), the biggest daily newspaper in the Fiji Islands, “The Fiji Times”, accused the Fiji government of conducting a “vendetta” against it. It followed a renewed attack in parliament on 24 November in which a government backbencher made allegations against the newspaper, its associate editor, and individual journalists. […]