The Fiji Times has pulled out of PINA, amid criticisms that PINA has not spoken out enough against Fiji's military regime's media decree.

Pacific Scoop:
Report – By Stanley Simpson, in Fiji.

The Fiji Times newspaper has withdrawn its membership of the Pacific Islands News Association, saying it is no longer appropriate to continue as a member.

In a letter to the PINA President Moses Stevens, Fiji Times editor Netani
Rika says they understand that the organization faces difficulties in working out how to deal with the situation in Fiji.

However Rika writes that the course of action taken by PINA on the situation in Fiji is not in the best interest of the Fiji Times.

The Fiji Times writes that PINA’s stand does not support the fundamental
principles of the media – which they believe are fundamental to society. Read more »

Fiji's regime leader Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama ... media control. Photo: CP

Pacific Scoop:
Report – By Pacific Media Centre news desk

A draconian draft media law for Fiji proposed by the military-backed regime has sparked immediate protest by news groups, academics and civil society movements.

The draft Media Industry Development Decree 2010 provides for the establishment of a Media Development Authority and a complaints tribunal with the power to fine news organisations and imprison journalists for up to five years. Read more »

Pacific Press Release – Pacific Media Watch

REGIONAL MEDIA WATCHDOG REPEATS CALL ON FIJI REGIME TO DROP THE DECREE ‘SHAM’

RAROTONGA, Cook Islands (Pacific Freedom Forum/Pacific Media Watch): Fiji’s military regime can save time, money and credibility by dropping plans to rehash a “media” decree and doing away with the whole thing, says the Pacific Freedom Forum. 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 »

National Union of Journalists of the Philippines members release doves, symbolising a want for peace. Photo: Bayanihan Post

Pacific Scoop:
News Desk

Café Pacific has issued its New Year honours, awarding the Newspaper of the Year handle to The Fiji Times. Café Pacific writes: “As a crusading newspaper under the helm of battling Netani Rika, it is hard to go past this Australian-owned publication – the strongest daily newspaper in Fiji in spite of its past political baggage and track record that goes right back to its colonial days in Levuka.”

It has also issued awards for the best media film, best independent newspaper, media monitoring agency, independent blog, and a freedom of speech award.

For more, see… Café Pacific: Café Pacific’s awards to spice up the new decade

Ratu Inoke Kubuabola ... claims PACER meeting without Fiji is illegal. Photo: Fiji Minfo

Pacific.Scoop
By Crosbie Walsh

As more PACER Plus talks get underway in Cairns today and tomorrow — without Fiji — Oxfam NZ executive director Barry Coates warns that any rigid free trade deal would mean a loss of government jobs and revenue in the region and worsen poverty and health problems.

“What is needed is an economic cooperation agreement, with the Pacific’s development at its core,” he said.
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 »

Media freedom ... responsibility to communicate and educate. Photo: PMC

Pacific.Scoop
Opinion – By Crosbie Walsh

Remember earlier in the year when the Fiji news media left readers with no alternative but to conclude the military and government were responsible for the fire bomb attacks on the homes of The Fiji Times chief editor and a security recruitment agent?

That was when Fiji Media Council chairperson Daryl Tarte had this to say:
Read more »

A Fiji Times news vendor ... watching and being watched. Photo: Wansolwara

Pacific.Scoop
By Sharishma Kumari and Richard Nath in Suva

When Fiji’s fourth coup in in two decades took place in December 2006, the country’s media again found itself in the frontline as witnesses and reporters of the event, and what followed later.

The coup leader, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, dubbed his takeover a “clean-up campaign”. He claimed he ousted the elected Laisenia Qarase government because it was corrupt and racist.
Read more »

Pacific Press Release – Pacific Media Watch, 9 Sept 2009

6410 FIJI REGIME CURBS DEALINGS WITH FIJI TIMES

SUVA (RNZI Online/Pacific Media Watch): The Fiji interim prime minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, has instructed all ministries, departments and agencies to stop their subscriptions to the Fiji Times newspaper.
Read more »