The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) urges journalists in Fiji not be discouraged by the interim Attorney-General’s instruction to the media to stop reporting on events of perceived “non-issue”.
Interim Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum reportedly said in a press conference this week that Fiji’s mainstream media should not publish articles based on speculation after former Commerce Commission chairman Charles Sweeney was removed from office.
In a letter to the Attorney-General, Sweeney challenged the powers of Sayed-Khaiyum to remove him from the commission.
According to local media reports, Sweeney claimed that his removal was linked to an inquiry his office was conducting into Fiji’s telecommunications industry.
Sweeney, who currently lives in Australia, also reportedly said the only circumstances under which the Attorney-General could dismiss him were on grounds of “misbehaviour, incompetence, incapacity” or “failure to comply with the obligations not to participate in a decision in which the member has a pecuniary interest”.
“Journalists worldwide have a responsibility to keep watch on the happenings of government and associated authorities and commissions in the name of the public interest,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.
“Instructions by government ministers on what constitutes an issue or non-issue of public interest can be regarded as an attempt to censor the press.”
The IFJ reminds the interim Attorney-General and all political figures in Fiji that statements aimed at shaping media coverage are a direct interference in the free flow of information and a free press.
For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries worldwide