Every time the Govt publicly rebuffs the media, it is refusing to speak to the people - Rabuka

People’s Alliance Leader Sitiveni Rabuka says people are tired of reading in the media that the Government, especially the most important player, the Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has not responded to a request to comment on an article.

While speaking in a press conference, Rabuka says every time the Government publicly rebuffs the media, it is refusing to speak to the people and Rabuka predicts this will not change.

He adds the Party denounces the Government’s anti media agenda especially towards those it perceives to be against.

Rabuka says you may have also noticed the Prime Minister rarely submits himself to the media and you can work out for yourselves why is this so.

He says the iPad interview at COP26 in Glasgow tells the story.

[L-R: Masi Lomaloma, Keith Watkins, Ajay Bhai, People’s Alliance Leader Sitiveni Rabuka, Sereana Tavatuilagi and Daniel Lobendahn]

He says they will have full media briefings when they have something important to announce.

Rabuka says they will be supportive of the moves by the media industry to re-establish an independent media council which will be empowered to investigate and pass judgement.

The former Prime Minister says you can take it from him that the Rabuka of 1987 is gone and he is remade as the man before you today.

Rabuka says he has been a democrat for a long time and his belief in press freedom is integral to his political ideals.

He also says they have received 20 applications from people who are interested in standing as candidates in the upcoming elections, and he says those from SODELPA who want to jump ship, are welcome to join the People’s Alliance.

Rabuka says the 20 applicants are from different ethnic backgrounds and none of them are current Members of Parliament.

He also says that he does not know how many SODELPA MPs will be joining his party and adds they have to play their cards right.

He says they are in the process of selecting their selection panel who will go through the applications and interview the applicants.