Speaking at Nadi yesterday, PM Bainimarama said Fiji would have have what he called "a modern day constitution" well before the 2014 elections, but that Government's focus for the next three years will be be on improving "socio-economic and infrastructure conditions throughout the country.” This will include encouraging the private sector and the media to join Government in initiatives that will be pro-growth and pro-poor.
Work on the new constitution will start in September 2012, two years before the elections. It will include provisions that “will entrench common and equal citizenry, it must not have ethnic-based voting; the voting age shall be 18; and it must have systems that hold elected governments accountable with more checks and balances." Public consultations on the constitution will include discussionon the “size of the new Parliament, the appropriateness of a bi-cameral system, the term of office of a government and systems of checks and balances”. Based on Fiji Live.
Past Media Culture Not Conducive to National Unity and Progress
Speaking of the Public Emergency Regulations, he said divisive policies and the past media culture was not conducive to national unity and progress. PERS was a temporary measure, that seeks to provide a stable socio-political platform conducive to the government's nation building initiatives. He said the government wants a Fiji where opportunities are equally available to the different ethnic groups that make Fiji what it is. While strongly believing in media freedom and freedom of expression, he said, media freedom is not absolute and the media must exercise this freedom and right to express oneself with greater responsibility. The media must ensure that their work does not impact negatively on the rights of others or the stability and wellbeing of the nation. Based on Fiji Village.
Bainimarama was speaking to delegates at the 35th Annual Gathering and 8th Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) General Conference.
Work on the new constitution will start in September 2012, two years before the elections. It will include provisions that “will entrench common and equal citizenry, it must not have ethnic-based voting; the voting age shall be 18; and it must have systems that hold elected governments accountable with more checks and balances." Public consultations on the constitution will include discussionon the “size of the new Parliament, the appropriateness of a bi-cameral system, the term of office of a government and systems of checks and balances”. Based on Fiji Live.
Past Media Culture Not Conducive to National Unity and Progress
Speaking of the Public Emergency Regulations, he said divisive policies and the past media culture was not conducive to national unity and progress. PERS was a temporary measure, that seeks to provide a stable socio-political platform conducive to the government's nation building initiatives. He said the government wants a Fiji where opportunities are equally available to the different ethnic groups that make Fiji what it is. While strongly believing in media freedom and freedom of expression, he said, media freedom is not absolute and the media must exercise this freedom and right to express oneself with greater responsibility. The media must ensure that their work does not impact negatively on the rights of others or the stability and wellbeing of the nation. Based on Fiji Village.
Bainimarama was speaking to delegates at the 35th Annual Gathering and 8th Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) General Conference.
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