5 May 2008

Fiji interim government tries to allay fears among media, following latest deportation

7:26 pm on 5 May 2008

The interim Fiji Prime Minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, says he has met with the country's key media figures to allay their fears that his government was planning to restrict the industry.

In a statement he says the Government is committed to media freedom as a constitutional obligation of the State.

He had made similar commitments last week, just prior to having newspaper publisher, Evan Hannah, deported.

On that occasion Commodore Bainimarama also said some reports are careless, irresponsible, inciteful and destabilizing.

He said then that Fiji is close to the point where the current system of self regulation needs to be seen as a failure.

In the latest statement Commodore Bainimarama says his Government, in a show of its commitment towards media freedom, values a relationship based on a healthy working rapport, transparency and accessibility and accountability.

He asks that it co-operate and assist his Government in rebuilding and moving the nation forward.