The Fijian Media Association which includes all media organizations are elated after the repeal of the Media Industry Development Act 2010.
Association President Rosi Doviverata says the MIDA repeal is a good opportunity for newsrooms and journalists to look at the development of their journalism skills and to push the boundaries in some of the types of journalism that they do especially investigative and solutions journalism.
She says looking at the makeup of the newsroom, 50 percent of journalists are women, and the Association has also started a Women In Media arm.
Fijian Media Association Executive and Communications Fiji Limited News Director, Vijay Narayan says this repeal is a great step forward as far as democracy is concerned for a strong and independent media.
He says the Media Decree came with no consultation and parliamentary debate which had limited the media growth and development.
The News Director says this has also hurt the journalists and the editors personally and professionally.
Narayan says the repeal will now help them to do their work well with passion, integrity and honesty as it comes with the responsibility of the Media Code of Ethics which is in practice already.
He further says the Fijian Media Association has also set up mechanisms in place for fair, balanced, and accurate reporting without any fear or favour.
When questioned about the opposition saying that the repealing of the act can bring about discrimination against women and children, Narayan says this is misleading and a slap in the face of our local media.
He says the Media Code of Ethics is in place and the media cannot just report on anything and everything.
Narayan says people know it has to be based on accuracy, balance and fairness.
