Transcript
STANLEY SIMPSON: The people who threw the stone were one remand so they were in police custody and the police should have taken better care to ensure that the journalist and the public was protected from any actions from these people.
KOROI HAWKINS: And what have the police said?
SS: They police have said that they are taking the matter seriously and they will be looking into it.
KH: Is this from the Fiji Media Association's perspective? Is this something that happens often?
SS: Yes, the concern from us at the Fiji Media Association is that this has become a consistent event now, because it is the third event in the last two months. A Fiji TV reported was manhandled a few weeks ago and then a Fiji Sun reporter was accosted, and now the incident with the FBC journalist. So it's a worrying trend. Not these areas in the courthouse, these tend to be a flashpoint area because the relatives of the accused, there's a lot of tension - they wish to protect their loved ones. While the journalists are there to do their job, then it's also and area where there is a lot of verbal confrontation, so to speak. However, this has escalated to an extent where a stone was thrown and that raises these issues to another level.
KH: So the call here is for the public to better appreciate and respect the jobs of journalists?
SS: Yes, our call here is for more awareness if the public is to respect the role of journalists and the role that journalists play. I mean they are an integral part of seeing that justice is served and ensure that a fair trial is taking place, that both sides are being heard and that the public is seeing that the wheels of justice are turning. So it's really important that the public appreciates the role that they play and the challenges they face.
KH: And for the police to protect journalists as they should any other citizen?
SS: Yes, we are now calling on the police force to please do a bit more in ensuring that the journalists are protected, especially around that area.
KH: Right, and the journalist herself, she's OK?
SS: Yeah, she's OK. Obviously she was shaken, but the next day she was reporting again from the court house.
