FMA raises serious concerns regarding Charters' arrest and Sports Council

The Fiji Media Association is deeply concerned with today’s developments involving Charlie Charters, who was earlier stopped at Nadi International Airport and is now reported to be in the custody of the FICAC and brought to Suva.

The FMA is alarmed that the detainment and arrest look like the re-enactment of a scene from a dark past that we fought hard to be free from.

The FMA Executive Committee made up of the media editors of all mainstream media outlets, Communications Fiji Limited, The Fiji Times, Fiji Sun, FBC, Mai TV, Fiji TV, and Fiji Live, stresses that any detention or arrest by FICAC must be conducted strictly within the law, with due process observed at every step and clear public information provided to maintain confidence. The FMA urges the relevant authorities to confirm Charters’ current status (detained/arrested/charged/released), the agency responsible, and the next procedural steps, including court processes where applicable.

They are concerned with the potential threat to freedom of expression posed by the arrest, given Charters' outspoken posts and articles regarding FICAC and the Fiji Sports Council.

The FMA notes the Fiji Sports Council’s clarification that there was no directive to ban the media, and that journalists were turned away due to a miscommunication with security personnel.

However, it remains concerning that security officers reportedly told journalists from more than one media organisation that the “ban” was a directive from the CEO.

The media editors say the facilities are spaces where sporting events of community and national interest are held and it is in the interest of the public that journalists cover these events.

They say it is also beneficial for the sponsorhip of national sporting bodies and potential sports stars of the future that journalists are given free access to cover sporting events at the Sports Council facilities across the country.

The FMA urges the FSC to ensure media access and to ensure all venue security are properly briefed to prevent a repeat of today’s incident.

The FMA says it has fought for media freedom and freedom of expression in the country for too long and will not stand by to see these freedoms being denied or suppressed.

The FMA is alarmed and on alert as it sees risks and evidence of emerging threats to media freedom.

The FMA stands ready to engage constructively with all parties to protect media freedom, accountability, and the public’s right to know.