Fiji government marked media freedom day by deporting Fiji Time's publisher [1]
Monday, May 5, 2008 - 16:00. Updated on Saturday, May 17, 2014 - 17:42.
The Fiji Media Council is shocked and dismayed that on the eve of World Media Freedom day the interim Government should make such a mockery of its claim that the media in Fiji is free. While the media is still coming to terms with the deportation of Russell Hunter it is rocked by the deportation of the publisher of the Fiji Times, Evan Hannah.
Apparently Mr Hannah is alleged to have breached his work permit by publishing matters that could be a threat to national security. However, rather than be transparent and publicly explain its actions the Government is hiding behind a cloak of secrecy.
The Council expresses its sympathy to Mr Hannah's family who have been left here in Fiji while he has been deported, not to his home country of Australia, but to Korea.
Obviously the Interim Government has concerns about the media just as the media has issues with the Government. For this reason the Council sought a meeting between representatives of the media and the Interim Prime Minister on 20th April.
Despite a follow up letter two weeks later there has not even been the courtesy of a reply. Surely objective discussion Is the way to deal with differences rather than the draconian measures that the Government has now taken.
If the Government truly believes in media freedom then it is under an obligation to the people of Fiji to justify its actions.
The Council is not only concerned about the threat to media freedom but is equally disturbed about the effect of this latest action on the Fiji economy. There will be publicity all over the free world about the deportation of Mr Hannah and this will certainly impact on investment in our country. Potential investors will start to equate this Government's action with those of places like Zimbabwe.
If the Interim Government believes the expulsion of people like Russell Hunter and Evan Hannah is going to force the media to be more accommodating to them they are wrong. The media has a responsibility to reflect the views and opinions of the people off this nation and there are a great many people who do not agree with the Government. FMC/Pacific Media Watch, 02/05/08.