FHRC Media Report Released

The much talked about Fiji Human Rights Commission report on the Freedom and Independence of the Media in Fiji has been released with some major changes recommended by the author of the report and several allegations against the media.

The report was prepared by Doctor James Anthony and was released yesterday with all the submissions from various media houses and other companies who have responded to certain allegations in the report.

One of the recommendations given by Doctor Anthony is that the Fiji Human Rights Commission should take necessary steps to strongly recommend to government that all existing work permits in the media industry not be renewed and that no further work permits be issued.

He also recommends that a Media Tribunal and Media Development Authority should be established in Fiji and the authorities should consider facilitating the enactment of a legislation that provides penalties for the publication or broadcast of any material that can incite sedition or that is in breach of the Public Order Act.

Doctor Anthony also recommends to the FHRC that it should take necessary steps to recommend to the government a 7 percent tax across the board on all media advertising revenue and further 7 percent on all revenue generated from licence and monthly user fees on consumers. He recommends that this money generated is to be used to fund all the activities and the mission of the Media Tribunal and Media Development Authority.

In her official response, FHRC Chairperson, Doctor Shaishta Shameem further recommends that the Media Development Authority be established along the lines adopted by Singapore. She said the function of the Media Development Authority will be to monitor the operations of the media organizations and undertake training to raise the standard of news reporting, meet the need for skills and technical expertise required by the modern media, build cooperation between the government and the media, and to ensure media responsibility in accordance with the laws of Fiji and human rights laws internationally.

Several allegations have been made in the report with Doctor Anthony quoting several submissions provided by anonymous people. There is also a long list of companies, including media houses listed as members of the SDL's Duavata Initiative Company. The list is just typed out without any reference on where the information has been received.

Although all the companies and organisations responded to the FHRC denying that they were members of the Duavata Initiative, the final report still has the names listed. Stay with us we will have more on the FHRC report on the media in the next hour.