(+) Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum*

Remarkably similar editorials have appeared in at least three "independent" NZ newspapers, the Southland  Times, the Nelson Mail and the NZ  Herald, in the past few days.  This is how blog reader Marybelle responded to the Herald's editorial on line. They published her letter, without the opening paragraph.

"I have already read this Editorial yesterday in the Fairfax South Island newspapers - Southland Times and the Nelson Mail. I wonder who wrote this Editorial. I doubt if our government takes advice from Editorial opinion.


Mainstream media here in NZ really haven't a clue about what is happening in Fiji. If mainstream media started to read the truth then maybe we would be seeing different Editorial opinion. To find out more in-depth information I suggest you go to Prof. Croz Walsh's blog "Fiji: The Way it Was, Is and Can Be" www.crosbiew.blogspot.com This blog, unlike a lot of the other Fiji blogs, posts both the positive and negative about what is happening in Fiji. It is balanced.

McCully has done the right thing going to Fiji to talk. Sanctions should be lifted. No matter what side of the fence you are on - we all want to see Fiji become a proper democratically run country instead of the gerrymandered democracy of the past - we all want to see Fiji prosper. Editorials like this one do not help - they only breed negativity about Fiji. How about a positive Editorial next time?
Marybelle
North Shore City."

**Two English fictional characters popularised by Lewis Carroll, author of Alice in  Wonderland and other stories. The Tweedle brothers always complement and never contradict each other.  Photo: Stitchontime.com


Update:
The Otago Daily Times, however, reported differently. As another reader observed: "There must be something wrong - this NZ editorial actually seems to be reporting information rather than peddling bias regarding NZ/Fiji affairs."

(o+) Making Sense of Recent Government Actions

OPINION
Something's going on. After months of easing tensions-- no fresh reports of possible human rights abuse, supportive statements from many in Fiji, from this blog and many overseas commentators culminating in the McCully-Kubuabola statements this week, slighter better relations between Government and the Fiji Times, and better than expected economic news despite the recent cyclone -- we have a rash of "aggressive" actions by Government, all within the span of a few days.

First, international juror and  government opponent Imrana Lala was charged by FIAC, the anti-corruption commission, with not having a licence to operate her part-owned restaurant (sic!) and the dismissal of some magistrates. Then Dr Padma Narsey Lal, wife of ANU's Prof. Brij Lal and brother of USP's Prof. Wadan Narsey, both staunch government opponents, was refused re-entry into the country.  Then 15 senior Suva City Council employees were sent home pending charges they were using SCC computers and time to write for anti-Government blogs.

Then Bainimarama announces that retired public servants  -- and that includes former PMs Qarase and Chaudhry -- who speak out against the Government will not receive their pensions (see comment below on this). The very same day he says the Methodist Church will not be allowed to hold their annual conference until after the elections in 2014. He said Government spies within the Church report ongoing anti-government activity.

Why this sudden hostility and blustering when things seemed to be going so well for Government? Is it pure coincidence, or do at least some of these events, all of which threaten freedom of speech, have a common cause or explanation?

The Wider Context

The wider context within which these events can perhaps be better understood is one in which Government sees the "normal" workings of civil society, where opinions are freely expressed and exchanged, as distractions and impediments to what it says it is trying to do.

Hence their delayed attention to political change, and their immediate focus on economic and infrastructural changes -- roads, electricity, the use of idle land, and agricultural initiatives in rural areas; getting rid of corruption and poor work ethics in the civil service; reforming national and local institutions such as the NLTB (Native Land Trust Board) and urban councils; opening up jobs and scholarships to all races; support for garment and tourist industry marketing; and a number of actions to reduce poverty, including housing assistance, the introduction of a minimum wage,access to micro-credit, a fairer distribution of land rent money to ordinary Fijian villagers, food coupons and free or subsidized school meals and transport.

Government wants to see major improvements in all these areas before it fully addresses political, constitutional and electoral issues in 2012-13. But just as foreign investors seek political stability to protect their investment, the Bainimarama Government seeks to impose stability (where it is not freely given) so it can get on with the job. Hence its constant references to the need for "unity" to "take the country forward."

This is not the normal way democratic governments operate, but it is not unknown. It is the way Allied governments operated during the two World Wars; how the US military, with and without government connivance, operates from time to time, and, perhaps even more relevantly, how Singapore dragged itself up from a poor, racially and politically fractured Third World country to become the country it is today.  In the early days, Lee Yuan Yew was far more oppressive than Bainimarama, and no less of a dictator. This, I think, is the wider context.

The Immediate Context

The more immediate context involves high celebrity court cases with Qarase, and possibly Weleilakemba and others, charged with corruption and abuse of office. My understanding is that these hearings will commence next week. The other big event is the first meeting of the Citizen's Assembly on the 27-28th.

Whenever Government anticipates its opponents will use events to trigger discontent, it is likely to send out strong warnings about "consequences", take measures to break or disrupt opposition networks, and forestall all overt expressions of opposition. This is how it operated in the lead up to last year's Methodist Conference, and this is how it could be operating now.

What we think of as unconnected, vindictive, arbitrary acts could in fact be part of a pre-conceived plan for civil society until 2014 -- modelled on a first-strike military manoeuvre. –- Crosbie Walsh.

Readers are urged to read comments to all posts, and particularly to this post. Just click "Comments" below.

(-) Padma Lal Refused Re-Entry, Deported

 Coupfourpointfive reports that Dr Padma Lal was refused re-entry into Fiji after spending Christmas-New Year with her husband Prof. Brij Lal. The Lals, who have a home in Canberra and Suva, are now Australian citizens.  Dr Lal is the sister of Prof. Wadan Narsey, another prominent government opponent. Dr Lal works for the Fiji Office of International Union for Conservation of Nature and, as far as I  know, has not been engaged in any political activity whilst in Fiji. Many who may otherwise wish the Bainimarama government well will question the good sense of this action by the Immigraton officers.

(o) McCully and Kubuabola Agree to "Climb Everest"

NZ and Fiji's Foreign Ministers, Murray McCully and Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, meeting in Nadi on Friday and Saturday discussed "a number of issues of bilateral interest to both countries ... in a positive and constructive atmosphere, and have agreed to keep working at improving relations between the two countries."

One immediate outcome will be the appointment of new counsellors in Suva and Wellington (and later deputy heads of mission, and perhaps later still Heads of Mission.) Currently Fiji has only one official in Wellington while NZ has a policy adviser, two administration officials and immigration staff in Suva.

McCully said, "I think it got to the point in both cases where the viability of our operations were under threat. . .this is going to get us into a better space. It's only by maintaining the ability to communicate that you are able to move forward. Even if we strongly disagree, some good will come from ongoing communications."  The face-to-face (Maori: kanohi ki kanohi) meeting followed  ongoing communications between the two Ministers over recent months.

This good news prompted one reader to ask "do you reckon we are almost on the top of Everest?" to which I replied, "No, but they have agreed to establish a base camp." She followed this up with, "What’s the saying – “slowly slowly catch a monkey”- we will get up Everest yet, or is it the Sleeping Giant** and we are in the valley?

I'm afraid we are still in the valley. McCully went on to say "None of this signals a change to New Zealand's substantive policy with regard to the regime in Fiji, nor does it signal any change in the sanctions regime currently in place. But it does signal a determination to improve the relationship, and in particular to be able to agree to disagree about some things." McCully, not "wanting to get ahead of Australia [Why not!] said "the Australian government was fully aware of the decisions announced today, and supported them."

Labour Party Response Pathetic
I can see why Australia had to be informed if NZ-Australia relationship is truly one of equals, but I found Labour Foreign Affairs spokesman Chris Carter's reaction rather pathetic. He welcomed the move,reminded us how Labour had "tried to commit Commodore Bainimarama to an election date" and said "the Labour Party will do all it can to assist the Government, including using its extensive contacts amongst the Indo-Fijian community in New Zealand."  He's still in a time-warp. Our insistence on elections (and no dialogue) and the assumption that this is all about race is what caused us to make the situation worse in the first place.

I'm sure there are many Indo-Fijians in NZ who are unhappy or undecided about the Fiji situation, and not a few ethnic Fijians who were unhappy about the Qarase administration and are prepared to give Bainimarama the benefit of the doubt. And all other former Fiji citizens (Part-Europeans, Europeans, Chinese, Rotumans, Kai Solomoni, and so on) will be similarly divided. Chris, this is about taking steps towards a Fiji with less corruption and better and fairer governance for all, not race and early elections. Would someone knowing Chris please suggest he  -- and other parliamentarians -- visit this blogsite?

The meeting was reported in the Fiji media but Ratu Kuboubola had not yet commented when this post was published.

** Sleeping Giant, a mountain ten kilometres north of Nadi.
Sources: NZHerald, Scoop.

Email from White Frangipani: "It was pretty good that Murray actually went to Fiji- that is a gesture of good will. That is progress. Definition of progress – two steps forward – one step back (or more!).I had a laugh though – Murray wasn’t banned from Fiji like others are [hoping to come] from Fiji to NZ!"

(o+-) What is Good for the Goose is Good for the Gander, Imrana

I have already expressed my personal opinion on Imrana Jalal's summons by the FICAC, the anti-corruption commission, for allegedly running a restaurant without a proper licence. I thought the charge inappropriate, vindictive, an harassment prompted by her anti-Government stance --  and an action unworthy of a Government with higher principles. I couldn't have expressed myself any more strongly than that.

But Imrana's recent statement to Radio NZ International  deserves a further comment.  She says: “Here I’m being prosecuted for charges that are unrelated in any way whatsoever. And my family is being persecuted because of me. That is callous, that is underhand. Stopping my five-year old from travelling to see his grandparents in Brisbane on the 12th of December is callous, it’s contemptible."

I agree, but with one important qualification. Why has Imrana, an International Civil Rights lawyer, not spoken out against identical conseqences resulting from the Australian and NZ travel bans that (to use her words) "persecute" wives, partners, children (and grandparents!) for the actions of one family member? Are they not also "callous" and "contemptible"? She should tell us when she next speaks to the media.
Addendum 
See also this statement by the Attorney-General.
                Photo: USP.

Snippets: Media, Economy, Corruption

Photo: Polar bears, warning on global warming.

  (o) Poles Apart. The Fiji Times and Fiji TV have been excluded from discussions on the Media decree because they have "not been working for Government." FT's managing director Anne Fussell, reiterating the paper's commitment to "access to as much information and as many viewpoints as possible," a provocative -- or at least a non-compromising statement in the circumstances --  says the paper is "happy to meet anyone from the Ministry of Information, or any group tasked with looking at the future of the media in Fiji, for discussions."

No meeting will take place until Government and the Fiji Times both take one step back and realize they have more to gain by dialogue than diatribes. That time may not have arrived, but it must arrive one day.The sooner the better.
 
(o) Fiji Journalists, Bloggers and Censorship.A balanced appraisal of the current situation by USP's Shailendra Singh. Click here.

(+) Economic Recovery Imminent. The Reserve Bank remains confident the Fiji economy will recover this year. The final quarter last year finished strongly,the global economy is recovering, and the effect of capital controls, devaluation of the dollar, the special drawing rights from the International Monetary Funds, and the 2010 Budget investment stimulus policies-- especially in the underdeveloped regions-- are starting to be felt.

(+) Rental Freeze Extended. The Prices and Incomes Board has confirmed that the rental freeze on all residential and ground rent will be extended and will remain in force until March 31, 2010.

(+) Fifteen Suva City Council Workers, from the Engineering, Business Licence, and Parking Metre sections, Town and Planning and Enforcement Section, were sent home on Thursday, pending investions. Corruption?  Full story. Update. The Fiji Times reports their computers have been uploaded because they are thought to have been writing for anti-government websites, an illegal act under PER and not, as civic government employees, what they are being paid for.

(o) Medicines Too Expensive.The Consumer Council, responding to customer complaints, has just completed a survey on the cost of medicines. The Council attributes lack of fair play and true competition in the pharmaceutical industry for the 100 – 180 percent price increase in prescription drugs and other medicines since  2007. They believe “better price control, changes to the pharmaceutical ownership/licensing laws, and other reforms can help bring a more just market for consumers.” Full story.

(o) Continuing Misuse of Government Vehicles. "Bula Croz,   Information from reliable source - Yellow PWD vehicle seen in Nasoso Nadi looking for fish. Couldn't get the vehicle number. They had gone to Nasoso at around 10:25am Sunday January 10 to look for fish. And it pissed this resident off to see the blatant disregard for instructions from the government. Despite Frank Bainimarama's good efforts to minimize or eradicate abuse of government vehicles, people from the Roads Department are still doing it."

(o) Kalabo's Rolling New Year 
(Something cheerful to end on.) As they have done for several years, villagers at Kalabo, just out of Suva. will continue their New Year celebration for yet another week, taking to the streets, beating drums and throwing water at people, the men usually dressed as women and the women as men. Full story.

(o) Against Anonymous Comments: Sudarsan Kant

Allow me to revisit a question that you raised a few months ago between liberal democracy and new media, specifically the art and science of blogging. For political practitioners, amateurs, curious onlookers and enthusiasts, blogs and websites have become an ideal cynosure to visit and engage with fellow travelers on important and mundane issues of the day. 

Your site certainly serves as a good model of how new media has enabled the emergence of a cyber community focused on the events unfolding in Fiji as well as its relationship with Australia, New Zealand and the rest of Oceania. The diversity of news and commentary is refreshing and thoughtful for many of us who spend a lot of time analyzing and exploring issues pertaining to governance, institutions and public policy in Oceania.

While creating a community engaged in political discourse is a substantive achievement in a fickle age, the continued use of anonymous comments undermines essential prerequisites for communal dialogue, which are transparency, sincerity and civility. Central to the democratic project is our capacity for dialogue as a means to negotiate, compromise, explain and disagree on the proper ordering of society, politics is ultimately a conversation of mankind, to borrow Michael Oakeshott’s lovely phrase. How difficult it is to have a conversation over substantive matters with people behind hidden doors and faces unencumbered by the virtues that make political discourse purposeful, civilizing and humane.

It is possible that on rare occasions a nom de plume is prudent and even necessary, but I am not convinced that the current situation in Fiji merits that privilege. What are needed among all interlocutors are transparency, courage, wit and humor as we struggle in our own ways to make sense of the world we live in. You have created an excellent forum for a robust exchange of ideas and issues; it would be nice to know whom we are having an exchange with.

kantsudarsan@hotmail.com

Note: I agree with almost everything Sundarsan has said, and I'm delighted with the growing number and quality of (most) comments. They often exceed the value of the post on which they are commenting. Blogs really can serve a truly democratic purpose. 

But I think Sundarsan underestimates the possible consequences, for some readers, of revealing their real  names. Fiji is essentially a "small society" where events are acted out on a small stage. And where the actors know each other, there is always the possibility of retribution.  That said, write anonymously if you must but please do use a pseudonym (pen name).  Genuine discussion does not need a real name but it does require some name.  Croz

Cartoon: www.clipartof.com

Lockington's Everyday Fiji ... Life Goes On

Allen Lockington is a self-employed customs agent and business consultant who has regular articles published in www.connectme.com.fj/news/opinion. I thank Allen and Connect for permission to reprint some of them in this political blog. They remind us that life goes on, whatever the political situation. And it's good to know that.

Drug Bust

Huge sums of money have been found buried in the bushes in the Highlands of Fiji. Yes drug farmers are burying their cash. A report says that drug farmers are simple people. Are they? They are not depositing huge sums of money in the bank because it will raise eyebrows.

With my vivid imagination I envisioned “Tomasi” and “Anil” simple cash crop farmers, walk in to a bank in Fiji with $24,000 in cash. With their different coloured flipflops, dirty fingernails and torn denim jeans and with the large bag of money they will be a sight to behold. Anil will get a call on his $2,000 mobile phone and whisper, “Yes we are here.” The bank teller will look up and wonder how and where they got the money.

As usual the teller will smile and greet them and then go about making the deposit and press a little button on the bottom of the counter. Security silently surrounds them and the police are alerted. But Tomasi and Anil and not stupid, simple farmers maybe, but not stupid, clever is a word that comes to mind. Silly is another.

However, the police are doing a good job hunting down and getting rid of illegal drugs. The farmers should be reminded that the drugs they sell leads to robbery and other unsocial things.

But what happens to the drug money found buried in the bushes? We see marijuana go up in smoke but never the money.  What happens to it, I wonder. Someone said it could be put to good use. But where!

Snippets: Imrana Jalal, PER, Civil Service Audit, Permanent Secretaries, Child Poverty, Garment Industry, Bus Workers Unionise

(-) By Hook or by Crook* Chook. It really does take a big leap of imagination to know why it's the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), and not the Suva City Council, that is charging well known human rights and anti-government lawyer Imrana Jalal and her husband Ratu Sakiusa Tuisolia with operating their Suva Hook and Chook restaurant without a proper licence. See also Imrana's statement on this charge posted on Coup FourPointFive.

Fiji Law Society President Dorsami Naidu, also not a government friend, says he doesn’t understand why FICAC has become involved, but adds "the Commission seem to single out people who are critical of the regime." It may be  coincidental but magistrate Mary Muir who questioned FICAC over the matter was  dismissed on Monday.

Whatever the rights and wrongs involved, Government must not be -- and must not be seen to be -- petty or vindictive in situations like this. It has a country to run! Not a restaurant!

* Hook or by crook means "by any means possible." Origin possibly from a custom in mediaeval England that allowed peasants to take dead wood from the royal forest that they could reach with a shepherd's crook or a reaper's billhook.  Photo: LunchinSuva

G) PER Extended but -- Light at the End of the Tunnel?  PER, the Public Emergency Regulations, first imposed in April following the Abrogation of the Constitution, were extended for another 30 days from January 3, but indications are that they will be lifted once the recently passed Media Decree is in place. Full story.

(G) Massive Civil Service Audit. All Government departments and ministries will be audited this year as a step to decide their right-size. The audit will also determine the minimum qualifications required, and the appropriatess of salary scales,for each position. The restructuring exercise that will follow in 2011 is part of Government’s plan to reform the civil service which could also save the country a huge amount of money. Full story.

(o) Permanent Secretaries. Ten permanent secretary posts in Government ministries, where contracts are due to expire in March, have been advertised by the Public Service Commission. The posts are:  Local Government, Lands and Mineral Resources, Trade and Commerce and Labour ,Public Service, Public Enterprise, Indigenous Affairs, Agriculture, Public Utilities and Defence, National Security and Immigration.

In anticipation of the usual comments by Anti-Government bloggers, please note that these are routine arrangements with none of sinister implications the bloggers invariably read into changes in the civil service. Full story.

(o) Children and Poverty. An honest, apolitical, no-holds-barred account of child poverty in Fiji can be read on the Inter Press Service website.

(+) Garments and Poverty Alleviation.The garment industry, that currently employs about 4,000 people, mostly women and mostly very poor, suffered a loss of over 1,000 jobs and a drop of 25 percent in exports last year. Government hopes to turn this situation round with the grant of $300,000 to a goverment-private sector marketing campaign intended to grow jobs to 6,000 and increase exports to over $150m within three years. The industry plays an important part in Governnment's poverty alleviaton programme, providing workers and their families with low but steady incomes, protection of the labour laws, dignity and a degree of empowerment. Full story.   

(+) Buses and Unions. Nair Transport Company that operates in the Nasinu area will become the first bus company to allow its workers to be members of a trade union. Fiji Transport Workers Union secretary Kamlesh Kumar hopes details will be finalized soon, and that other bus companies will follow suit. Full story.

(+) The Government School Bus fare subsidy scheme has been  extended to those travelling by boat, minibus and carriers.

   

(o) The Link Between February's Dialogue Forum, the 2012-13 Constitution Forum and the 2014 Elections

This post is a summary of an exclusive interview by Samisoni Pareti of  Islands Business with the Prime Minister's Office Permanent Secretary, Col. Pio Tikoduadua (photo), in which Tikoduadua spells out the functions of next month's nationwide dialogue forum and its relationship with the constitutional dialogue scheduled for between September 2012 and September 2013, exactly 12 months before the 2014 elections.  Click here for the full article.

Next month's National Dialogue for Fiji’s Future (NDFF) will have an “open” agenda  to be decided by  the NDFF Secretariat and its yet-to-be appointed chair.  People and organisations that participate will meet four basic prerequisites.They be forward looking, have the best interest of Fiji at heart,  hold views consistent with the People’s Charter for change, will not have an outstanding case before the courts, and not  represent a political party that espouses ethnic based politics.

Civic rather than political party participation is desired on the state of the nation and economic and political issues.  "You can’t really separate political issues from the people’s discussions," says Tikoduadua."That is going to come through but as long as they don’t go in and try to further their own political party agendas. It is hoped the  outcome will be previous support for “They can gauge their way from there and go forward. What we would like to see is for the forum to develop further into what could become a consultative body for the new constitution by way of input.” [It will be noted that former PM Qarase, who has a court case pending, and race-based parties, are excluded. It will be interesting to see how race-based parties are defined.]

The Constitution Dialogue Forum consultations during between September 2012-2013  will be  extensive and not limited to political parties.  Issues to be decided include the size of the new parliament, the appropriateness of a bi-cameral system, the length of a government's term of office, and systems of checks and balances. [It is probable that the political parties involved will not include the old race-based parties.]

The new Constitution will be in place by September 2013 at the latest and will be translated into the vernacular languages. Pocket-size editions will be be made widely available so that candidates and all citizens can  familiarize themselves with its provisions.

[It will also be interesting to see how this enhanced sequence of popular consultations is received by Australia, New  Zealand and the international community. India, the most populous Commonwealth country, has already indicated it will help in any ways it can to pave the way for democratic elections.]

(o) The Julian Moti Story Does Nothing for Australia's Pacific Reputation

Hunted and hounded for the last five years, Julian Moti, QC, Australian citizen, former Attorney General of the Solomon Islands is now broken but a free man. In the aftermath, it left the Australian claim to being a model democracy in tatters and the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australia’s law enforcement agency, as one that cannot and must not be trusted for its impartiality. It is a deeply worrying revelation in the Pacific that has also brought the Australian mainstream media into focus on its claim of being independent, impartial and a great protector and defender of people’s rights. It’s eloquence in highlighting this case was matched with a deafening silence or voices that were clearly inaudible or incoherent."

So opens Rajendra Prasad's truth-is-stranger-than-fiction account of Julian Moti and the Australian authorities. When the saga finally ends Justice Mullins, in her thirty page judgment, claimed “The conduct of the AFP ...is an affront to the public conscience." She stopped just short of accusing the AFP of bribing witnesses for political ends in connivance with the Australian Government.

To read the full story, click on this link to download the article from Mediafire. Photo: Moti under arrest. The Age.

(o) Why the Judiciary Reshuffles and Dismissals?

Reshuffles and dismissals in the judiciary have again raised eyebrows. Government detractors like Auckland journalist Michael Field and a group of closely related anti-Government blogsites see this as further evidence of Government malpractice. Words like purge, fired and sacked abound. They infer Government has "fired" four prosecutors and three magistrates to replace them with people "more acceptable to the regime." And they could be right  or partly right.

Not being a confidant of Aca Rayawa, the newly appointed Director of Public Prosecutions (an alleged "supporter of the regime") or of the Attorney General, I have no way of knowing why these people were dismissed, but it is possible they were  dismissed because they were not performing on the job.

Government has had to appointment a number of  people who would otherwise not be appointed because many better qualified people have not applied for Government positions due to the Australia and New New Zealand travel bans. And the judiciary is not on its own:  similar action has been taken in other areas purportedly to improve the civil service and statutory authorities.

How one interprets these events stems more from one's political presumptions than any special knowledge of the situation. No government is obliged to reveal why employees are dismissed. That is between them and the employee, unless contested in law. But if those dismissed do not object, it would "clear the air" if Government provided its reasons. I hope it does.

Meanwhile, Luveiviti, an anti-Government blogger, has called on those dismissed (with nothing more to gain from associating with government) to help bring down the Government. The message here speaks poorly of some anti- blogger motives. Luveiviti seems to be saying: Forget principle. Forget Fiji. Just focus on what you can personally stand to gain or lose. Come and join us other losers.

Photo: FBCL.

(o) Lament Over Democracy in Fiji:Sanjay Ramesh*

An excellent, thought-provoking and provocative article on Fiji's coups with comments on Australia's and NZ's policies and the role of the media in 1987, 2000 and 2006; the accusations against Bainimarama over the November 2000 mutiny; how Bainimarama tried to work within the Constitution, and why the press is now restricted.  Click here  or here for full article.
* Sanjay Ramesh is an adjunct research associate in transforming cultures at the  National University of Fiji. He is currently completing a research degree on inter-group conflict in Fiji at the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Sydney. He invites you to send comments to sanjay.ramesh@uts.edu.au

(o) On Media Abuse of Power and Influence in a Democracy: NZ's Dominion Post

I've always thought there's something more than a little undemocratic and cowardly that those writing editorials do not reveal their identity, especially in a proudly democratic country like New Zealand.

All we know is that an editorial contains opinions (not always backed by facts or fully researched thoughts) that are usually written by the publisher, the editor or one of the editorial team. I see no good reason why these people, and journalists in general, who so often demand access to private information,  hide behind anonymity. Why are so many media sources "usually reliable" or "our correspondent in X." Why does the law permit them to publish anonymous "leaked reports," even of personal emails? Why do we allow them these powers when we, their readers, do not even know who they are?

I'm also unsure why they think we should be interested in their anonymous opinions when we know nothing about their knowledge of the topics they discuss? We would not accept this from a doctor, a lawyer or accountant, so why should it be acceptable from journalists who play with our minds, mould our opinions, and set the boundaries of our democracy?

If the so-called Fourth Estate is entitled to a special, protected,  place in our society, searching out hidden truths and using its "freedoms" to keep citizens and voters properly informed, then the media must be far more open, accountable and known.

The latest DominionPost editorial, "Dictators must not hold sway in the Pacific" (click here) is a case in point. We know nothing of the writer who presumes to advise Prime Minister John Key what to do about our relationship with Fiji other than that he, she or it thinks it wrong for us to ease up on Bainimarama who "took power at the point of a gun and deposed a democratically elected government" and who since then has "tightened his grip on the country." Et cetera. Et hackneyed cetera. Nothing was written on anything even remotely wrong with the old "democracy" and nothing about anything  good on  the de facto government.

"Whatever else he does [the editorial states]... Mr Key should not accept advice such as that from Auckland academic Dr Hugh Laracy or, presumably, anyone else who thinks the travel ban and other measures have failed. Yet these measures, imposed three years ago, have brought about no change in Bainimarama's position; they are hurting many innocent Fiji citizens, and they've prevented many qualified people applying for civil service positions, even in positions not remotely political.  The editorial thinks Mr Key is "right to try to make a new start with the commodore [but] that does not mean forgetting that he is a dictator. The aim must be that dictatorships do not become the 'Pacific way.'"

With this sort of inane, patronising advice Key could well fall back on Laracy: afterall, he is not anonymous; he's studied the Pacific for close to 40 years and, although not enamoured with coups, he does have a plausible alternative to our initially well intended but now obviously failed policy.

I'm sure Professor Laracy will join me in issuing a public challenge to the  DomPost Editor(s).

• Come out from behind your masks. 
• State your qualifications and Pacific experience. 
•  Publish balanced statements on Fiji's past and present. 
• Provide your readers with sufficient background for them to form their own independent judgments.
  
• Comment on at least some of the positive actions taken by the Bainimarama government.  
• Take the trouble to find out what is really happening in Fiji.
  

And if you can't -- or won't -- do any of these, at least make an intelligent and realistic suggestion to help John Key formulate a workable policy towards Fiji.

Hugh and I may lose the debate, of course, but we would at least know who you are -- and your readers and John Key may learn something they did not know before.
           Photos. Dominion Post. stuff.co.nz; Prof. Hugh Laracy. University of Auckland.

Snippets: Microcredit, School Buses, Blogs Blocked, National Dialogue Forum, Civil Service Housing, Driti Attacks Shamima

(+) Banks Required to Assist Microfinance: Part of the Roadmap.The Reserve Bank has issued microfinance guidelines for all commercial banks that require them to establish internal microfinance divisions and units in existing branches.  The banks are expected to "innovatively and effectively" extend sustainable banking services to Fiji’s marginalized, poor communities and individuals, and to small and micro enterprises, that will "empower them to participate in economy building and in the development of their welfare." Source:  Focus Jan.2 2010.

(o-) Blogs Blocked Again. Email from Fiji 4th January. "Looks like the anti-govt blogs have been blocked. I just can't log into any. Been trying for two days now. It's sad because many of them had noble causes when they started. Then things remained relatively calm in Fiji and life carried on and progress was on the way. And they started to stray and became angry and envious and started to be spiteful maybe even jealous because they are being left behind.  Your Blog is OK....No problems so far ... "

(o) Free School Buses. About 71,554 children, whose parents jointly earn less than $15,000 a year,  will qualify for the free school bus fare scheme this year. The scheme will only operate for children within 18km of destinations to encourage parents to send their children to schools close to home. PM Permanent secretary Col.Tikoduadua said the funding is in place and "it's going to cost a fair bit."

The scheme is expected to benefit children attending 490 schools on Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Levuka, Taveuni and Rotuma. Full story. Fr Barr's concern that students living in heavily populated rural areas who have to travel further than 18km  could lose out -- and all his other comments were positive -- produced a typical Fiji Times headline "Some will lose out, says priest." Yet another display of how the media works!

(+) National Dialogue Forum. An encouraging number of new names, from overseas and a wide cross-section of the community, have been put forward to chair February's National Dialogue Forum. Government takes this as an indication that people want to share their views of the way forward in terms of what government has planned to move Fiji forward. The February talks are expected to lay the groundwork for a constitutional forum in September 2012.  Full story.

(-) AUCKLAND (Café Pacific/Pacific Scoop/Pacific Media Watch): Café Pacific has issued its New Year honours, awarding the Newspaper of the Year handle to The Fiji Times. Café Pacific writes: “As a crusading newspaper under the helm of battling Netani Rika, it is hard to go past this Australian-owned publication – the strongest daily newspaper in Fiji in spite of its past political baggage and track record that goes right back to its colonial days in Levuka.” Comment: The underlined words tell all.

(o) Housing for Civil Servants. FMA President Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete hopes "good sense" will prevail in the termination of government rented quarters for doctors in the outer islands. I agree, but surely government does not intent to apply this decision as Dr Waqainabete suggests.

Government's general reasoning for exiting rental quarters for civil servants -- and dropping the retirement age back to 55 --are sound enough. Many "sit" on the accommodation provided when they can afford to purchase their own homes, just as many 55+ people "sat" on their jobs, but the implementation of these decisions must be flexible, not mandatory. Government or subsidized private rental housing must be provided for contracted expatriates and employees on short-term and remote postings. Better pay and working conditions, as mentioned by Min.Health Perm.Sec.Dr Sala Saketa, will help to attract and retain staff but they still need a roof over their heads.

I can't imagine any doctor, nurse or teacher buying or building a house in Tavuki (Kadavu), Matuku or Ono (Lau) or Itutiu (Rotuma) unless they were born there. And I doubt they'd get a housing loan even if they did. Perhaps we should just wait and see. We shouldn't have to. How decrees are to be implemented should be clear from the time of their pronouncement. That they are so often not creates uncertainty and  plays into the hands of Government's opponents.

(-) Diriti Threatens Shamima Ali.  This is Ridiculous. Government passes a decree extending the operating hours for nightclubs and liquor licence outlets. Fiji Women's Crisis Centre Coordinator Shamima Ali  criticized the decision in a general radio interview on violence against women and children saying it would result in more alcohol-related social problems. And Land Force Commander, Brig.Gen.Pita Driti  warns Shamima Ali  " "to think very carefully about what she says before making a public statement" -- and a lot more besides. He says the extended hours will discourage bootlegging and rowdy house parties, and lessen binge drinking. How does he know? He doesn't, and neither does Shamima know the decision will increase alcohol-related problems.

But that's besides the point. It is central to Shamima's job, for which she is well qualified and experienced, to comment on these matters and (while her anti-Government position in other respects seems to affect Government's ability to listen to her warning), it certainly should not invoke Driti or anyone else to threaten her in this manner. This is not the first time Driti has made similar threatening remarks. They do his cause no good. Click  here also.

(o) Fiji Consumer Council welcomes next month's merger between the Prices and Incomes Board and the Commerce Commission saying it will benefit consumers.

(+) Letter on the X Factor

Letter from a Reader

Bula and congratulations on making Robie's list.

I have followed your blog and would like to point out the "X" factor variable.

Most of the people who supported Qarase (including my elite friends) are the rich, powerful and urbanites. A lot of my friends who were connected to the SDL became rich overnight. These are the people who have PCs at home and can read and comment on the numerous blogs. These are the people whom Frank Bainimarama has "neutralised" and, they in turn wage a campaign of misinformation against his administration. Included in this list are politicians, lawyers, NGOs and foreign governments.

The people who support the regime are the poor and marginalised and a lots of expats and investors who agree with his will to rid corruption from our system. 

 

Except for the expats and the investors, the majority of Frank's supporters do not own or have access to computers. Most live in the poor settlements, villages and outer islands. This is the "X" factor when considering your survey and the type of respondents you would encounter.

Continue the good fight on behalf of the people of Fiji.

 

Yasayasa.

(o) We Made it! New Year Honours List

Well, I never!  Fiji: The Way it Was, Is and Can  Be  is mentioned in David Robie's Cafe Pacific  New Year  Honours List.

COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG

Check out the Comments on the postings, and add your own.  Comments make the blog come alive.  The record number of comments so far is 28, on (+) "The Real Frank Bainimarama Stands Up" (see below)  but surprisingly most comments were about Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi.

Lockington's Everyday Fiji ... Life Goes On

 Allen Lockington is a self-employed customs agent and business consultant who has regular articles published in www.connectme.com.fj/news/opinion. I thank Allen and Connect for permission to reprint some of them in this political blog. They remind us that life goes on, whatever the political situation. And it's good to know that.

For the Kid's sake

 

After the MIC Show, the Hibiscus Festival and the Miss South Pacific Pageant one of my grog mates said that Fiji really has talent. Then Paulini Curuenavuli, Suzy Vulaca and other international Fijian superstars sang in Suva. Then we had the Fiji Fashion Show and saw beautiful and handsome young men and women strut their stuff.

This mate of mine said that our young people can sing, dance and act and sew. He said many of our children will now try to become beauty queens and kings even models. What Fiji needs now is to show another side of these talented young men and women. We need to see them cooking home dinners and cleaning the house, making their bed and reading books, scrubbing the bathroom and washing the clothes.

My mate said it would benefit our children who think that the beauty queens and kings have perfect lives. And he wonders if Aiysha can be shown on Get Set cleaning her room and washing dishes and cooking. He said if we went just a little further we can teach our children that being superstars also includes being able to cook and clean and sew.

And he said, “Miss South Pacific will be the best person to get on our children’s show and tell the kids." 

And you know what, sometimes I wonder what it would be like if my grog mates finished their schooling.  Hey with the kind of things they think of.

Write LETTERS TO THE EDITOR HERE, and post-specific COMMENTS at the end of posts.  

(o+) The Prime Minister's New Year Message

 Over 35,000 people ushered in the New Year at Albert Park, in the capital's biggest ever street party.Full story.

In his New Year's message to the nation, PM Bainimarama urged his fellow citizens "to get out of our little boxes and collectively think of taking this nation we call home forward  [and] work together to move Fiji into the modern world. He said "government will continue to focus on improving the lives of all citizens in the New Year." The PM also urged people to be aware of , and to stand up to, those who continue to undermine the work of the government. Click  here.


Speaking of those who still opposed what the Government was trying to do, he said:

"I know there are some who are still working behind the scenes to undermine the coming together of our people; there are some who still think along ethnic or racial lines. I also know that there are a few who are working with some of our development partners, our international friends, and some sections of the media to undermine the efforts of the government. They are spreading misinformation about Fiji and what is happening in Fiji. We have to be aware of them; we have to stand up to them by pointing out the facts."

He said that we should not let the personal agendas of a few who were part of the elite ... of the old way of thinking, undermining us.

"Stand up to them.

• Tell them that you are looking to the future. Tell them that our youth, our young are our future. 
• Tell them that you will not stand for ethnic or religious chauvinism. 
• Tell them that we want to engage with our neighbours and welcome friendships as equals, as partners.
• Tell them that we no longer have a racial agenda. 
• Tell them that we truly believe in and want to practice good governance, transparency and accountability. 
• Tell them that we want true justice. 
• Tell them that we want true democracy. 
• Tell them that we are one nation."

He wished all the people of Fiji and abroad as well as visitors to Fiji's  shores a  very happy New Year.

Note: The Fiji Sun link is wrongly dated. The PM's remarks were made this New Year, not last. Thanks, Cornelius for pointing this out.
POSTSCRIPT
The Fiji Times did not report the PM's message but it had a New Year  message of its own that highlighted the many good things it had done for the nation. Thank you, Tiji Times. How could we ever have thought we could do without you!   Photo: Fiji Village.