Reporters Deported After Censorship Strengthening in Fiji

By Sarah E. Treptow
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji – The Fiji interim regime has ordered the reporter of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Sean Dorney, to leave Fiji immediately because they are unhappy with his reporting.  Mr. Dorney was contacted by information ministry officials after he reported the absence of political news from newspapers which have been subjected to new censorship since the constitution was abrogated.

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith has urged Mr. Dorney not to take any unnecessary risks.  Mr. Smith said, “He should follow the request or the instruction of the Fiji authorities however so obnoxious he might regard those to be, because they are impinging upon his capacity to do his job as a journalist.”  Mr. Dorney has said he much prefers to be on a plane than in the military barracks.

The government has also arrested and begun proceedings to deport a television journalist, Edwin Nand.  Mr. Nand’s detention is based upon Fiji TV’s transmission of reports of the detention and deportation of Mr. Dorney to overseas news services.  The interim regime says such transmissions are now illegal.  A New Zealand television reporter and cameraman are also facing deportation.

Journalists in Fiji have been told not to publish or broadcast stories that present the reinstatement of the military government in a negative light, and police censors are now in newsrooms across Suva to check on the stories intended to be run.  The Permanent Secretary for Information has been given almost total control over what is printed or broadcast in Fiji.  The penalty under the Emergency Regulations for not obeying may be an order to cease all activities and operations.

Commodore Bainimarama says he hopes everyone will follow the restrictions.

For more information, please see:
Australian Broadcasting Corporation – Fiji virtually a military dictatorship: Rudd – 12 April 2009

Austalian Broadcasting Corporation – Fiji cops backlash over media crackdown – 13 April 2009

Australian Broadcasting Corporation – Fiji begins process to deport ABC’s Dorney – 13 April 2009

Australian Broadcasting Corporation – Fijian journalist arrested as Dorney awaits deportation – 13 April 2009

Radio New Zealand International – Austalian reporter to be deported from Fiji – 13 April 2009

Author: Impunity Watch Archive