Cogito, ergo sum. I think, therefore I am. (René Descartes, mathematician and philosopher,1599-1650)

Tuesday 3 August 2010

Fiji’s ‘painful process’ could lead to better democracy

PANEL DISCUSSES FIJI. The link to last night's Radio NZ discussion involving Nik Naidu, Richard Pamatatau, Peni Moore and myself.

For the Pacific Media Watch account of last night's RadioNZ panel discussion,  Click here.

This is the first time in several months contrary views have been on the NZ media. It will be interesting to see whether the radio item or its coverage by  Pacific Media Watch are used by the mainstream media. NZ continues to complain about media restrictions in Fiji, but our media is hardly giving informed, balanced coverage itself.

5 comments:

Pick the Fijian? said...

As a Fijian I am angry that the two people on the panel, supporting the dictator and his intimidation with guns, are NOT Fijians. They are two palagis. Who is peni moore? What right has she to tell Fijians how they should live? Croz, I did NOT VOTE for either you or this peni moore to speak on my behalf, and on behalf of my children?
Where is the voice of Fijians who are being suppressed on a daily basis? Disgraceful.

Crosbie Walsh said...

@ Pick the Fijian ... We spoke on our own behalfs. I take it the "Fijians" you talk about are ethnic Fijians who, if they lived in Fiji, voted for the extremist CAMV or the SDL. Many other Fijians disagree with you. Peni is a Fijian and Fiji citizen. Is it relevant that she is a palagi?

I presume you did not object to Nik Naidu and Richard Pamatatua speaking on your "Fijian" behalf because you agreed with what they said. Yet Nik is ASN expatriate Indian who has not been in Fiji for years and Richard knows little about Fiji and has only visited briefly. So it has nothing to do with being palagi, has it? It's who you disagree with.

You seem full of hate, and hate like most emotions often prevents clear thinking. I know some things in Fiji are not right, but it's not all bad either. I'd welcome your ideas on the "way forward" and if you are in Fiji, ring 01 on your cell phone.

Concerned Fijian said...

Hi Croz, it is the kind of attititude from 'pick the Fijian?' that terrifies me if Frank is ever ousted. The previous 'democracy' was so slanted in favour ethno Fijians that all other races were deemed second class citizens in their own home land. I am still very concerned that these racist attitudes are not being delt with on a grass root level in Fiji. Whilst Frank has shut the Church, and muted the Chiefs I don't think that there is enough being done in terms of a dialogue about what these changes are about. I worry that come any elections in the foreseeable future, the chiefs and the church will re appear as bitter as ever and command their people to vote for who they want in power. I think it is great that we are now all called Fijian but it seems superficial in the face of these types of nationalists hiding behind the guise of democracy.

Croz said...

@ Concerned Fijian ... I couldn't agree with you more, on both counts.
The responses of government departments with respect to the Charter are being monitored, but those on the critical issue of race and ethnicity in Nation Building seem to be advancing slowly, unless more is going on behind the scenes than we know about. If you're in Fiji, ring 01 on your cellphone and ask which departments are responsible and what is being done. Or write to the paper.

True Blue said...

Well, one fully understands the fear and anxiety displayed by Concerned Fijian about Pick the Fijian at the top. At the end of the day, we are what we know ourselves to be. No one else should be able to determine what we are for us. A parity of esteem is to be afforded each and every citizen of any nation state. If it is not, then democracy does not and cannot obtain. This is where we go wrong, I think. Those who spout democratic principles all day are the least democrat in depth and in practice. But.....and here is the catch: when they are living elsewhere on PR or have taken another citizenship for themselves, they expect to be fully treated to equality and they generally are. There is something not quite right about this. Do they 'Get It'? An inequality and an inequity in the argument and in practice. Surely, Australia, New Zealand and the UK must see this? What do they make of it? That is why,we must determine for ourselves what we are: I am a Fijian. What do you say you are? I was formerly a Bermudian and no one objected to that. The Governor in Council told me I was. But that was not really necessary. Let no one tell you who you are. If they do, they steal your humanity away.