A new media decree imposed by Commodore Frank Bainimarama’s military regime in Fiji will further impinge journalists’ rights to report freely and fairly.
The Media Industry Development Decree 2010, which the administration gazetted on June 25, permanently installs the sweeping censorship that has been in force in Fiji since “temporary” emergency regulations were imposed in April 2009. The decree is little changed from a draft that met with international condemnation when it was announced in April this year.
Under the controversial law, the regime and its authorities will decide what is deemed fair, balanced and quality journalism. A six-member Media Industry Development Authority appointed by Fiji’s Minister for Information will “ensure that nothing is included in the content of any media service which is against public interest or order, or national interest, or which offends against good taste or decency and creates communal discord”.
A one-member Media Tribunal, appointed by the President, can instate orders that compel media organisations to reveal sources, and journalists, editors and media organisations can all be fined and potentially jailed if the tribunal rules that news reports breach the regime’s media codes.
The law retrospectively requires that all media organisations be registered with the authority and be 90 per cent owned by citizens of Fiji. This action clearly targets the Fiji Times, which is owned by News Limited. The paper, which has a staff of about 180, is the only local media outlet to try to maintain critical independence despite attacks, threats, intimidation and more than a year of strict censorship. From June 29th, News Limited has been given 90 days to comply with the new ownership laws or risk facing closure.
The International Federation of Journalists, to which the Media Alliance is affiliated, has condemned the Media Industry Development Decree and IFJ General Secretary, Aidan White, has called on the Fijian government to step back from this “coercive and ultimately destructive law and initiate moves to a cooperative independent regulatory system supported by local media and recognised by the international community.”
