Fiji Foreign Minister: No Gag On Media
(Fiji Times)
Despite recent deportations of the Australian publishers of two Fiji newspapers, the Minister of Foreign Affairs told colleagues the Melanesian Spearhead Group meeting in Vanuatu that his government does not intend to gag the media, the Fiji Times reports.
Foreign Minister Ratu Epeli Nailatikau said the interim government would uphold freedom of the media and freedom of expression. But he emphasized the interim government’s position that the media provide fair and balanced reporting to prevent inciting race-based problems that could lead to violence and instability.
Ratu Epeli said the deportation of Fiji Times publisher Evan Hannah and Fiji Sun publisher Russell Hunter was based on evidence that both had conducted themselves in a manner considered a threat to national security.
He said immigration officials did not receive a Fiji court order to halt the deportation prior to the action being taken.
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=90680
