Fiji: International Condemnation of Proposed Media Decrees “Hysterical”

16 April 2010

International condemnation of Fiji's proposed media decree that enables the military led government to jail journalists and impose crippling fines on media organizations, has been described as “hysterical” by Fiji's Information Minister and Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

The government led by Fiji's military commander, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, says the Emergency Regulations, which have been in force for more than a year will be lifted once the media decree is in place. The draft decree provides for jail terms of up to five years for journalists who may write or broadcast stories deemed by the government to be contrary to public interest or public order.

Dr Mark Hayes, a former journalism lecturer at the University of the South Pacific, says the implications are frightening. “ When this decree is promulgated, and becomes law in Fiji, there's the constant threat of severe fines and jail terms on all journalists in this context of very unclear guidelines about what is allowed and what isn't” he told Radio Australia.

Another section of the draft media decree would limit foreign ownership of any media outlet in Fiji to just 10 per cent, which would have an impact on the long-standing media interests of Rupert Murdoch who owns Fiji Times. Another newspaper Fiji Post, has also got significant Australian ownership, but, the big implications are for the News Corporation owned Fiji Times.

The Fiji Times and Fiji One Television have been relentlessly attacked by the administration for allegedly being anti-Fiji.

Source: Radio Australia