Censorship has brought about significant improvements

Today is World Media Freedom Day and Fiji’s Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary Information Setaita Natai said continued censorship under the Public Emergency Regulation of the media in the country has brought about significant improvement to the content of local media reports.

Natai believes that balanced style of reporting methods have also been adopted.

She said the Prime Minister and Minister for Information, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has always made it clear that journalists, editors and even media organisations do not need to be pro-government but be pro-Fiji.

Natai said the Government knows everybody needs freedom but what this government is trying to put across to the media in Fiji is that they need to practise freedom with responsibility.

The PER has been in place since April 2009 and Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum told Radio NZ last week that the PER will be lifted after all local considerations are taken into account.


Story by: Vijay Narayan