Fiji Times Limited who had pleaded guilty to the charge of breaching the Media Industry Development Decree has been ordered to pay $5000 fine by the Suva Magistrates Court.
The fine is to be paid within 28 days.
Magistrate Sufia Hamza said that Director Mahendra Patel went to Australia in 2011 and did not return which led to the breach of the Media Industry Development Decree.
She said that the fine is to reflect the seriousness of the offence.
The matter has been adjourned to 28th of June for a review.
Under the decree, Fiji citizens permanently residing in Fiji means a person residing in the country for 3 out of the last 7 years prior to registration of the media company and thereafter residing in Fiji for at least 6 out of 12 months of a year.
Story by: Praneeta Prakash
