(PINA/IFEX) – The president of the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA), William Parkinson, of the Fiji Islands, has commented on the Fiji Government’s “review” of the work permits of University of the South Pacific journalism lecturers David Robie and Ingrid Leary. **Updates IFEX alert of 1 September 1998** Parkinson, who is also managing director of […]
(PINA/IFEX) – The president of the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA),
William Parkinson, of the Fiji Islands, has commented on the Fiji
Government’s “review” of the work permits of University of the South
Pacific journalism lecturers David Robie and Ingrid Leary.
**Updates IFEX alert of 1 September 1998**
Parkinson, who is also managing director of the region’s biggest
independent radio station network, said that PINA understands some
individuals and organisations that are members of PINA have made complaints
to the Fiji Government alleging work permit breaches by the two New
Zealanders. He said those complaining are exercising their rights.
“We have not made a statement with regards to this matter as we wanted to
make sure we understood the nature of the complaint with regards their
alleged breaching of work permits,” he said of the PINA position.
“The protection of the principals of freedom of expression is at the heart
of PINA’s existence and this applies to Academic Freedom as it does to
Media Freedom.
“We understand that, in this case, many of the complaints relate to
breaches of their work permit conditions with regards outside work for
local media organisations. We would, of course, be very concerned if this
was at the expense of the jobs of local journalists.
“In the case of Mr Robie’s web site and concerns expressed on some of the
content, we would hope that the content of the site would cover stories in
a fair and balanced manner, as would be expected from the head of
[University of the South Pacific’s] USP’s journalism programme.
“In the event that the Government of Fiji has a complaint about this
content then we suggest that this be made to the Fiji Media Council or to
the USP Council rather then threatening his work permit.”
