Blogs in Fiji have have largely escaped the grasp of the iron fist controlling the rest of the country’s media, but they have not fulfilled their potential as a forum of “free and constructive discussion”.

Pacific Scoop
Report – By Hamish Fletcher

Although blogs provide a space for political dissent in Fiji, they are failing to generate a “positive dialogue” about the nation’s future, says a prominent political commentator.

Blogging has long been a way of publishing anti-government material in Fiji and of bypassing the self-censorship of the mainstream media which are often unwilling to rock the boat. Read more »

Pacific Press Release – Pacific Media Watch

FIJI MEDIA BILL TALKS AWAIT AG OFFICE

SUVA (Fiji Broadcasting Corporation/Pacific Media Watch): Consultations on Fiji’s new media promulgation will begin once the Attorney-General’s office has finished drafting the decree.

Ministry of Information Permanent Secretary Lieutenant Colonel Neumi Leweni said this in an interview with FBC News today. Read more »

Fiji's regime leader Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama ... "fed up with indigenous nationalism and cronyism". Photo: CP

Pacific Scoop:
Opinion – By Sanjay Ramesh in Suva

A recent wave of articles – mostly from New Zealand and Australian media – has criticised the direction taken by the Fiji authorities following the abrogation of the 1997 Constitution in April 2009.

These articles should be seen as yet another example of “parachute journalism,” where journalists are sent to political trouble spots to compile informed analysis when they have little understanding of the socio-cultural context. Read more »

Sayed-Khaiyum's message for Fiji journalists ... "analyse and question more". Photo: Radio Fiji

Pacific.Scoop
By Nanise Nawalowao in Suva

Fiji’s Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has called on journalists to think outside the box and cover vital stories facing a nation.
Read more »

Rachna Nath (from left), Stan Simpson and Kelera Serelini during the Fiji media seminar at USP. Photo: Dawn Gibson/USP

Pacific.Scoop
By Dawn Gibson in Suva

Television host and Mai Laif editor Stanley Simpson has warned media can “make or break” a country in a journalism seminar at the University of the South Pacific.
Read more »

Pacific Press Release – Pacific Media Watch, 23 October 2009

FIJI MEMBERS OF CBA LOSE FULL MEMBERSHIP

SUVA (Pacnews/Pacific Media Watch): Three of Fiji’s leading media organisations have lost their full membership with the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association (CBA).
Read more »

Pacific.Scoop
By Pacific Media Centre news desk

Political power grabs have dealt press freedom serious blows in the Asia-Pacific region with Fiji being a major casualty, according to the latest Reporters sans frontières world media freedom rankings.
Read more »

Vijendra Kumar of The Fiji Times ... few Indo-Fijian editors since his era. Photo: Pacific Journalism Review

Pacific.Scoop
Opinion – By Thakur Ranjit Singh

The launch of the long awaited and anticipated special edition of Fijian Studies research journal is seen as a breath of fresh air for Fiji news media. It was appropriately devoted to media and “the struggle for democracy in the past 20 years”.
Read more »

Co-editors Shailendra Singh (left) and Professor Biman Prasad at the media book launch. Photo: Sophie Ralulu/Fiji Sun

Pacific.Scoop
By Pacific Media Centre newsdesk

A leading Fiji economist has called on the military backed regime to lift the tough censorship curbs on news media or risk growing corruption and a major financial institution collapse.

Professor Biman Prasad of the University of the South Pacific directed his appeal to the Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, saying while many people appreciated and understood his desire to create a “new Fiji”, his efforts would be thwarted without a free media.
Read more »

Pacific.Scoop
By Pacific Media Watch

Fiji Islanders have a “palpable dissatisfaction” with media standards but this is overridden by a public desire to have a free press, says a new book about Fiji journalism and democracy.

The book calls for more self-reflective scrutiny of the media and its role in the nation’s development.
Read more »