Protest over Fiji TV sackings

Transcript

The controversial sacking of two senior staff from Fiji TV has caused an uproar in Fiji and across the Pacific.

The move has led to a call for a Prime Ministerial inquiry and prompted the deputy chairman of the board to resign.

Koro Vaka'uta has been following the affair.

The Chief Executive Tevita Gonelevu and the Head of Content Tanya Waqanika were sacked just days after the station was involved in a broadcast rights battle between the government and sporting body World Rugby. Earlier Fiji lost television coverage of the Dubai Sevens because World Rugby objected to a government decree overriding broadcast rights that had been given to FijiTV and requiring them to be shared across all channels. The feed was eventually released after the government agreed to remove the rugby events from the Decree. An opposition SODELPA MP Bill Gavoka says the two staff members have unfairly paid the price for the ordeal.

BILL GAVOKA: I think it's very obvious that it has to do with the TV Cross-Licence thing. It's very evident that the heavy hand of the state is behind all this. These two people are wonderful people, very loyal, doing a wonderful job. I'm just surprised at this sudden turn of events.

Media watchdog the Pacific Freedom Forum is concerned that reasons for the dismissal have not been clear. The PFF's Jason Brown says because of the public investment in the company, answers are needed.

JASON BROWN: We've got a long history in Fiji of interference with the media and this being owned by a variety of public stakeholders, tribes and landowner, there's real concern that yet again we are seeing the media being pushed and shoved around willy-nilly without real regard for due process. 

But the Chairman of Fiji TV says the sackings were done to ensure they have a better chance of getting their broadcast licence extended. Ioane Naiveli says the station is trying to get its six-month licence extended as it expires at the end of the month. Mr Naiveli says the government made its views known about the staff members and this was taken into account.

IOANE NAIVELI: Fiji TV is judged.  Its product is almost assessed every day of the week, 24/7, 365 days and we want to make sure that this service continues into the foreseeable future.  With a six month licence, it is very hard to continue so we need to work with the government on what is the best thing. 

Mr Naiveli hopes to have the licence changed to a 12year licence, the same period granted to competitor FBC TV. The leader of the opposition National Federation Party Biman Prasad says the implication is concerning.

BIMAN PRASAD: That's a very serious admission.  That is what we are saying, that it suggests interference in the way in which the management and the board of Fiji TV has been able to operate.  No commercial enterprise should be dictated to by government on the basis of them withholding a licence to operate. 

Mr Prasad is now calling on the Prime Minister to launch an official inquiry into the sackings and the immediate reinstatement of Mr Gonelevu and Ms Waqanika. Mr Gonelevu is understood to be launching legal action against his sacking. Last year, FijiTV sacked a veteran reporter after the regime leader told the station to choose between keeping the reporter or keeping its licence. Senior government minister and attorney general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum did not respond to calls and emails.