Since the Public Emergency Regulations (PER) came into force in July, Fiji's oldest and once most respected daily newspaper The Fiji Times has published absolutely no local political news. Coverage has gone overboard, from political binge-drinking to total abstinence.There is, of course, some cause. The editor and staff were subjected to more harassment than other newspapers (because they were the most anti-Government) but I think its present stance has passed its "use by" date. There are better ways to restore responsible media freedom, and publishing some political news is one of them.
Friday's other dailies, Fiji Live and Fiji Village, managed to report John Key's political statements on Fiji to Canberra's National Press Club. "NZ PM Concedes Bainimarama Will Not Change His Stance" (Fiji Village) and"We Can't Pressure Fiji 'Easily'" (Fiji Live).
But all that the online Times published, on its World tab (sic!), was Key's comments (taken from the same speech!) on a possible new ANZAC arrangement "Neighbours Mull Over Defence Idea." Its Home and Fiji News tabs only included items headed: FRU Wants Jones (pictured); A True Heart of Service; A Caring Woman; Asylum Lock-UP; Kayak Subsides, Tourist Dies. You'd be excused for thinking you were reading the NZ Women's Weekly.
The "way forward" is to tiptoe into reasoned, helpful, critical (but non-inflammatory or confrontational) political items by the media and a suitable response from Government. But be warned. Once bitten, Government will not be twice shy. My assessment of what the media called "balance" before PER was 4 items to 1, against Government. If they still call this "balance," their calls for "media freedom" are not very convincing. The absence of "balance" by both the NZ and Fiji media was the main reason for my starting this blog.
NZ Media Freedom?
P.S. I have just received a disturbing allegation of media bias, omissions and cover-ups on Fiji by sections of the NZ media. I will assess the information over the next few days and decide what to do about it. Meanwhile, I'd be pleased to receive information and opinions from NZ readers on what they know and think of the NZ media's role on Fiji.
My informant writes:
My experience ...shows that even prominent journalists ... are not well informed (or choose not to be) about Fiji, and hence they form views based on shallow knowledge that is biased. In turn, those views negatively affect how they report on events in Fiji. These journalists simply follow their governments' lack of understanding ... Fiji has to resolve its problems in its own way and not necessarily how New Zealanders and Australians believe they should be resolved.
1 comment:
The editor of the Fiji Times newspaper, as far as one is aware, is still the same person who was found guilty as charged with a gross contempt of the Courts and Justices of Fiji. Justice Thomas Hickie made it perfectly plain in his judgement (which I have here and have read in full more than once)what manner of person Netani Rika is. One is obliged to ask: why is this man still in position? Why do Murdoch Newspapers (never an organisation with a high ethical profile globally) endure his continued presence? However, it is obvious that the incumbent editor is incapable of writing or editing even anything relating to politics/economics in a balanced, objective and informed manner. His level of professionalism does not extend that far. What a gross disservice this is to the people of Fiji who deserved and still deserve so much better. The Fiji Media Council did nothing to enhance our situation over many years in this regard. A more facile, manipulated and spineless outfit would be hard to imagine.
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