13 Jul 2015

Fiji media decree amendment may mean less fear in journalism

8:08 am on 13 July 2015

The editor in chief of the Fiji Times, Fred Wesley, says he hopes a media decree amendment will allow journalists to do their work without fear.

An amendment to the Media Industry Development Decree in Fiji means individual journalists can no longer be fined up to $1000 Fiji dollars for breaches.

Fred Wesley says publishers and editors still face the the possibility of huge fines, but the amendment is a positive step forward.

He says it will impact on the kind of stories journalists can do more freely.

"There are obviously a few challenges there, but it's a positive move by the government, this is the first positive step forward and hopefully it's going to reflect in young journalists being allowed to do their work without fear."

Mr Wesley says his role as editor will continue to be maintaining the integrity and credibility of the Fiji Times newspaper.

The Fiji Times

The Fiji Times building in Suva Photo: Matthias Süßen