By Ryan L. Maness
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji — In the weeks following the removal of Fiji Sun publisher Russell Hunter and the meetings called by the interim Attorney General with Fiji newspaper publishers, the signs of tension between the media and the government are becoming more evident.  Two new specific restrictions have brought on criticism from domestic and international observers. 

The first of these is a move from the Interim Finance Minister to instate media licensing.  Fiji academic Brij Lal has decried the move, calling it an attempt to “muzzle the media.”  He told the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation, “By muzzling the media you are not going to solve any problem in fact you are going to create more dissatisfaction, more unhappiness in a populace already, already facing difficult circumstances so I think this call to license the media; I just hope that the people of Fiji will resist this because it will be an infringement of their freedom.”

The second was a request made to the Fijian media not to contact the interim Prime Minister directly any longer.  The Prime Minister’s Office told the Fiji Times that any inquiries for the Prime Minister should be directed through the Department of Information.  The statement also requested that any inquiries to the Bainimarama in regard to his capacity as head of the military should be directed at a military media spokesman.  Parmesh Chand, the interim PM’s secretary, said that the request was based upon the interim Prime Ministers extremely busy schedule. 

In light of these and other concerns the Fiji Media Council has requested a meeting with the government in order to find a way forward.  Daryl Tarte, the Council’s Chairman, said, “There are concerns on both sides; concerns on the part of the media about government’s actions and obviously the government themselves have some concern about the media so we think it would be productive if we could meet and discuss these matters and find some amicable way ahead.”

In the last few days the situation between the Fijian media and the government has sparked comment from two international observers.  Stephen Smith, the Australian Foreign Minister, has spoken with concern regarding the interim government’s intimidationg of the media.  A trade mission from Taiwan, during observations of Fiji, has said that it is not their place to pass judgement on domestic policy, but has insisted that, “I think the freedom of press is universal value, respected by the United Nations and countries around the globe.”

For more information, please see:
Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Limited — Taiwan monitors Fiji, aware of media problems — 22 March 2008

Radio New Zealand International — Fiji Media Council asks to meet government to discuss concerns — 20 March 2008

Radio New Zealand International — Australia concerned over treatment of Fiji media — 20 March 2008

Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Limited — Restrictions attempt to gag Fiji media — 20 March 2008

Radio New Zealand International — Fiji Media has been advised not to call Prime Minister — 18 March 2008