General Press Release No. 275 (December 2006)

Fiji coup targets media

The Australian Press Council condemns the actions of the military in Fiji in targetting the free media. Its actions to restrict the people's access to information of public interest and concern were reprehensible. The visits made earlier this week by representatives of the coup leaders to newspapers and broadcasters within the country in an attempt to censor their news coverage are unacceptable.

The Council is, however, heartened by the military's recent pledge to interfere no further in the role of the news media.

The Council endorses the statements of Daryl Tarte, the Chairman of the Fiji Media Council who has said: "The media organisations of Fiji ... will, at all times, continue to champion the ideals of freedom of the media enshrined in the Fiji Constitution Bill of Rights."

The Australian Press Council particularly supports the actions of The Fiji Times, its managing director Tony Yianni and editor Samisoni Kakaivalu, in suspending publication after the Fiji military ordered the paper not to publish any "propaganda" against the new political leadership; and the actions of The Fiji Daily Post and its editor in chief Robert Wolfgramm in suspending publication after being warned by the military not to continue supporting Prime Minister Qarase.

The Press Council also condemned as unacceptable actions by soldiers to prevent foreign journalists in Suva from approaching the home of the deposed prime minister.

see also
Report of 2001 Asia-Pacific Regional Press Freedom Seminar

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