Comments made by former PM to camerapersons of fijivillage, Mai TV and Fiji Sun are distasteful, unbecoming and unacceptable - FMA

The Fijian Media Association strongly condemns the comments made by the former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama to camerapersons of fijivillage, Mai TV and Fiji Sun outside the Suva courthouse, and labels it as distasteful, unbecoming and unacceptable.

Bainimarama told the Mai TV cameraman in the iTaukei language: “Qarauna de dua tacaqe, Au na qai caqeta yani na muna." Translated: "Be careful no one stumbles, for I will then kick his backside."

Bainimarama told a fijivillage cameraperson "watch out, you slip, and then I will kick your backside."

The former Prime Minister also said “he is very smart at kicking things that fall in front of me.”

He said to another fijivillage cameraperson “get out of my face, and stand 500 yards away from me.”

Bainimarama also told a Fiji Sun photographer "kwan kwan" - a derogatory term commonly used to chase away dogs or animals.

The Fijian Media Association finds these comments highly offensive.

The FMA continues to reiterate that journalists, photographers and videographers are doing an important work of informing the public, and threats of violence against them is unacceptable.

The FMA states that journalists have come through a period where they have been beaten, intimidated and abused and will not accept these threats, even if they are veiled, to deter them from doing their duty.