Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad says although the Fijian Broadcasting Corporation has a very long history of service, over the last several years it was turned into a propaganda machine.
Professor Prasad highlighted that FBC was the mouthpiece of the previous government and he has no hesitation in saying that.
He says he does not blame any journalists or people who work for the organization as he understands how difficult the environment was for them to operate independently without any restrictions.
Professor Prasad says this is something that should have never happened.
The Deputy Prime Minister further says he is now pleased that the draconian media decree has been removed which has made the work of journalists, media organizations and executives in doing their work in a fair, transparent, open and accountable manner for the development of the country.
He says the journalists are now free and as a government, they assure everyone, including all media organizations that, this is what the government is doing to make sure that there is a level playing field.
Professor Prasad also acknowledged the media organizations for their work and standing up, despite all the difficult laws, persecution, or attempts to persecute them.
The Deputy Prime Minister says that the government will take a very consultative approach and work together to bring the best people, listen to them, and work towards the national development agenda as there is a lot of wisdom, knowledge and experience that resides outside of government.
He says they look forward to working with all media organizations to ensure that we have a healthy democracy and media environment where government and other public officials can be held to account in an appropriate and open transparent manner.
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