6 May 2014

Fiji Sun sides with Bainimarama

1:44 pm on 6 May 2014

A journalist at The Fiji Sun says the newspaper supports the policies of Prime Minister and regime leader Rear Admiral Frank Bainimarama.

The managing editor of business, Rachna Lal, was speaking as a panelist at a University of the South Pacific discussion to mark Media Freedom Day.

Ms Lal denied claims The Fiji Sun is a government newspaper but says Rear Admiral Bainimarama's policies have been positive.

She says he has done a lot of work developing rural areas, which had been neglected by previous governments.

"What we are as a newspaper, and we make no apologies for this, is broadly supportive of the Bainimarama government's policies. We believe these policies are building a better Fiji. We know these policies have strong, broad, public support."

About two weeks ago, the chairman of the Media Industry Development Authority, Ashwin Raj, rejected claims the Fiji Sun is biased and in favour of the regime.